CVE-2020-11489 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

NVIDIA DGX servers, all DGX-1 with BMC firmware versions prior to 3.38.30 and all DGX-2 with BMC firmware versions prior to 1.06.06, contain a vulnerability in the AMI BMC firmware that may lead to information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2020-11489

This CVE affects NVIDIA DGX Servers due to default SNMP community strings used in the AMI BMC firmware.

What is CVE-2020-11489?

CVE-2020-11489 is a vulnerability found in NVIDIA DGX servers, specifically affecting all DGX-1 and DGX-2 models with BMC firmware versions prior to 3.38.30 and 1.06.06, respectively. The issue arises from the use of default SNMP community strings.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11489

The vulnerability could result in information disclosure, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized parties.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11489

NVIDIA DGX servers are impacted by this vulnerability due to the following:

Vulnerability Description

Default SNMP community strings in the AMI BMC firmware

Affected Systems and Versions

All DGX-1 with BMC firmware versions prior to 3.38.30
All DGX-2 with BMC firmware versions prior to 1.06.06

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit default SNMP community strings to gain unauthorized access and potentially disclose sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-11489:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update BMC firmware to versions 3.38.30 for DGX-1 and 1.06.06 for DGX-2
Change default SNMP community strings to unique, secure values

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update firmware to patch vulnerabilities
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of critical systems

Patching and Updates

Apply firmware updates promptly to mitigate the risk of information disclosure.