CVE-2021-29211 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A remote xss vulnerability was discovered in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) and iLO 5 versions prior to 2.78 and 2.44 respectively, affecting HPE Gen9 and Gen10 servers. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2021-29211

This CVE involves a remote xss vulnerability in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) and iLO 5, potentially impacting HPE Gen9 and Gen10 servers.

What is CVE-2021-29211?

CVE-2021-29211 is a security vulnerability found in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) and iLO 5 with versions prior to 2.78 and 2.44 respectively. It allows for remote xss attacks, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29211

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to launch remote xss attacks on HPE Gen9 and Gen10 servers running the affected versions of iLO 4 and iLO 5. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access and potential compromise of sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29211

CVE-2021-29211 is characterized by the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a remote xss flaw present in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) and iLO 5 versions earlier than 2.78 and 2.44 respectively.

Affected Systems and Versions

HPE Gen9 servers using iLO 4 and HPE Gen10 servers utilizing iLO 5 are impacted by this vulnerability when running versions prior to 2.78 and 2.44.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2021-29211 requires a remote attacker to send malicious xss payloads to the affected servers, potentially enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-29211, immediate action is crucial. Follow these steps to mitigate the risk and enhance the security posture of your systems:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update HPE Integrated Lights-Out 4 (iLO 4) to version 2.78 or later.
Update HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) to version 2.44 or later.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate an ongoing exploitation attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly apply security patches and updates to all system components.
Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to external threats.

Patching and Updates

HPE has provided patches for the affected versions. It is essential to apply these updates promptly to protect your systems from potential exploitation.