NVIDIA Hopper HGX Management Controller Security Flaw

CVE-2024-0114

What is CVE-2024-0114?

CVE-2024-0114 refers to a security flaw within the NVIDIA Hopper HGX Management Controller (HMC), an essential component of NVIDIA's platform designed for high-performance computing. This vulnerability allows attackers who already have administrative access to the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to escalate their privileges to that of an HMC administrator. Exploiting this flaw can facilitate malicious activities that could disrupt the system's integrity and availability, adversely affecting organizations that rely on NVIDIA's technology for critical tasks such as data processing and machine learning.

Technical Details

The vulnerability arises from insufficient protections in the HGX Management Controller, which is integral to managing multiple GPUs in the NVIDIA Hopper architecture. If an attacker gains administrative access to the BMC, they can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code, initiate a denial-of-service attack, or manipulate sensitive data. Such capabilities pose serious risks, particularly in environments where performance and security are paramount. The interaction between the BMC and HMC creates a pathway for potential escalations in attacks that may not only disrupt operations but also compromise sensitive configurations or data integrity.

Potential Impact of CVE-2024-0114

1. Code Execution: Attackers could execute arbitrary code on the HMC, leading to unauthorized control over hardware management and potential installations of malicious software.

2. Denial of Service: A successful exploitation may disrupt server operations, leading to downtime and impacting organizational productivity, particularly for data-intensive applications.

3. Privilege Escalation and Data Tampering: With administrative access gained, attackers may alter configurations or tamper with critical data, endangering the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information managed by the Hopper GPU systems.

References