CVE-2024-42934 is a vulnerability identified in OpenIPMI, an open-source implementation of the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) protocol used for out-of-band management of computer systems. The flaw exists in versions prior to 2.0.36 within the ipmi_sim simulator component, which is used to simulate IPMI devices for testing and development purposes. The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds array access when processing the authentication type, classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). This improper bounds checking can cause the simulator to access memory outside the intended array, leading to undefined behavior. The primary impact is denial of service (DoS), where the simulator or dependent services may crash or become unresponsive. Additionally, although with very low probability, the flaw could be exploited to bypass authentication mechanisms or execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector as adjacent network (AV:A), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability rated as low (C:L/I:L/A:L). No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are linked at the time of publication, indicating that mitigation may require updating to OpenIPMI 2.0.36 or later once available.

The vulnerability primarily threatens environments using OpenIPMI for IPMI device simulation or management, such as data centers, cloud providers, and enterprises relying on out-of-band server management. A successful denial of service could disrupt management operations, delaying critical maintenance or monitoring tasks and potentially affecting system availability. Although the likelihood is low, the possibility of authentication bypass or code execution could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access or control over management interfaces, risking system integrity and confidentiality. This could lead to further lateral movement within networks or compromise of sensitive infrastructure components. Given the high attack complexity and requirement for network adjacency, exploitation is less likely from remote internet sources but remains a concern within internal networks or compromised segments. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

Organizations should monitor OpenIPMI project updates and apply patches promptly once OpenIPMI version 2.0.36 or later is released addressing this vulnerability. Until patches are available, limit network access to IPMI management interfaces and the ipmi_sim simulator to trusted administrators and isolated management networks to reduce exposure. Employ network segmentation and strict firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access to IPMI-related services. Conduct regular audits of IPMI usage and simulator deployments to identify unnecessary or outdated instances that can be disabled or removed. Implement robust monitoring and alerting for unusual activity on IPMI interfaces, including repeated authentication failures or service crashes indicative of exploitation attempts. Consider alternative IPMI management tools or hardware-based solutions with updated firmware if feasible. Finally, maintain comprehensive incident response plans that include IPMI-related threats to quickly contain and remediate any compromise.