CVE-2022-40259 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the AMI MegaRAC SPx12 product, which is a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) firmware widely used in server management. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798, indicating the use of hard-coded credentials within the firmware. Hard-coded credentials are embedded usernames and passwords that cannot be changed or removed by the end user, creating a significant security risk. In this case, the MegaRAC SPx12 firmware contains default credentials that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the BMC interface. Since BMCs provide out-of-band management capabilities, including remote power control, hardware monitoring, and firmware updates, unauthorized access can lead to full control over the server hardware independent of the operating system. This can allow attackers to bypass traditional network security controls, persist undetected, and potentially manipulate or disrupt critical infrastructure. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of hard-coded credentials presents an attractive attack vector, especially for targeted attacks against data centers and enterprise environments relying on AMI MegaRAC SPx12 for server management. The vulnerability affects all versions indicated as '0' (likely meaning all or unspecified versions), and no official patches or remediation links have been provided as of the publication date (December 2022). The lack of patch availability increases the risk for organizations using this firmware, as mitigation relies primarily on compensating controls and network segmentation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for enterprises and data centers that deploy servers managed by AMI MegaRAC SPx12 firmware. Unauthorized access to BMCs can lead to full hardware control, enabling attackers to disrupt business operations by shutting down or rebooting servers, installing persistent malware at the firmware level, or exfiltrating sensitive data. Critical sectors such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and government infrastructure are especially at risk due to their reliance on secure and continuous server operations. The vulnerability undermines confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT infrastructure. Given the BMC's privileged position, exploitation can bypass traditional security monitoring and controls, making detection and response more challenging. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between the high potential impact and the requirement for access to the management interface, which is often restricted but may be exposed in some network configurations.

1. Network Segmentation: Isolate BMC management interfaces on dedicated management VLANs or physically separate networks to prevent unauthorized access from general user networks. 2. Access Control: Restrict access to BMC interfaces using firewall rules, VPNs, or jump servers with strong authentication mechanisms. 3. Credential Management: Since hard-coded credentials cannot be changed, implement compensating controls such as disabling unused BMC interfaces or services where possible. 4. Monitoring and Logging: Enable detailed logging on BMC interfaces and monitor for unusual login attempts or access patterns. 5. Firmware Updates: Regularly check with AMI for any firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Vendor Engagement: Engage with AMI support to confirm if any mitigations or updated firmware versions exist beyond public disclosures. 7. Incident Response Preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans specific to BMC compromise scenarios to quickly contain and remediate potential breaches. 8. Physical Security: Ensure physical security controls are in place to prevent direct hardware access to servers, which could circumvent network protections.