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How to Protect Your Servers from Critical BMC Vulnerabilities

by | Jun 30, 2025 | Tips and Tricks

Recent reports of active exploitation of BMC vulnerabilities, specifically CVE-2024-54085 (CVSS 10.0) in AMI MegaRAC Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) firmware, underscore the urgent need to secure server infrastructure. Discovered on March 11, 2025, this critical flaw, reported by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), allows attackers to bypass authentication, gaining full control over servers from vendors like AMD, Supermicro, Fujitsu, Gigabyte, ARM, and Qualcomm. These BMC vulnerabilities enable remote code execution, ransomware deployment, firmware tampering, and even physical server damage through reboot loops or hardware overload. Affecting data centers powering mission-critical operations, these flaws pose severe risks due to BMCs’ extensive control over server fleets, even when powered off. At Black Belt Secure, we’re committed to helping organizations safeguard their systems. This blog outlines practical steps to protect your servers from BMC vulnerabilities and mitigate the risks of this actively exploited flaw.

Understanding BMC Vulnerabilities in AMI MegaRAC

Baseboard Management Controllers (BMCs) are specialized microcontrollers embedded in servers to manage critical functions like power control, hardware monitoring, and OS reinstallation, operating independently of the main system. The CVE-2024-54085 vulnerability resides in the Redfish interface, a standardized protocol for remote server management used by AMI MegaRAC firmware. A logic flaw in Redfish’s authentication mechanism allows attackers to bypass credential checks, granting access to sensitive management functions. This critical BMC vulnerability enables devastating attacks, including:

  • Remote Code Execution: Attackers can run arbitrary code to install malware or backdoors.
  • Ransomware Deployment: Encrypting critical data and demanding payment for decryption.
  • Firmware Tampering: Modifying BMC firmware to create persistent threats or disrupt operations.
  • Physical Damage: Overloading components or inducing reboot loops, leading to hardware wear or failure.

The vulnerability affects servers from major vendors, widely used in data centers for cloud computing, financial services, and healthcare. Its CVSS score of 10.0 reflects its severity, requiring no user interaction and exploitable remotely if BMCs are exposed to the public internet. CISA’s warning of active exploitation highlights the immediate danger to organizations, making proactive defense against BMC vulnerabilities critical.

Why BMC Vulnerabilities Are a Growing Threat

The CVE-2024-54085 flaw stems from a logic error in the Redfish interface, exacerbated by systemic issues in server management practices:

  • Public Internet Exposure: Many organizations expose BMC interfaces to the public internet instead of isolating them on secure management networks, despite vendor warnings. Cost constraints or lack of expertise in smaller organizations often lead to this misconfiguration, amplifying BMC vulnerabilities.
  • Open-Source Risks: The Redfish protocol, built on open-source standards, allows attackers to analyze code for weaknesses, accelerating exploit development.
  • Complex Patching Process: Firmware updates for BMC vulnerabilities require server downtime, which is challenging for mission-critical systems, delaying remediation and extending exposure.
  • High-Value Target: BMCs’ elevated privileges make them prime targets for cybercriminals and nation-state actors seeking to disrupt infrastructure or steal sensitive data.

In 2024, CISA noted a 40% increase in attacks targeting critical infrastructure, with server management systems like BMCs increasingly exploited. The widespread use of AMI MegaRAC firmware—estimated in over 50% of enterprise servers—amplifies the risk of BMC vulnerabilities, making them a top concern for IT security teams.

Broader Implications for Data Centers and Enterprises

BMC vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-54085 threaten the backbone of modern enterprise operations. A single compromised BMC can serve as a gateway to broader network attacks, enabling attackers to pivot to other systems or exfiltrate sensitive data. The potential consequences include:

  • Operational Downtime: Reboot loops or firmware tampering can cause prolonged outages, disrupting services for customers and partners.
  • Data Breaches: Attackers can access sensitive data, risking intellectual property theft or regulatory penalties under GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.
  • Hardware Damage: Overloading components can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Compromised servers can propagate malware, as seen in the 2020 SolarWinds breach, affecting multiple organizations.

The financial impact is significant—breaches exploiting similar vulnerabilities cost an average of $12 million, per IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report. With data centers powering critical sectors, securing BMC vulnerabilities is essential to maintaining operational continuity and trust.

Enhanced Steps to Protect Against BMC Vulnerabilities

To safeguard your servers from BMC vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-54085, Black Belt Secure recommends the following six enhanced steps, building on our original guidance:

  1. Isolate BMC Interfaces: Ensure BMCs are not exposed to the public internet. Deploy dedicated management networks with strict firewall rules to limit access to authorized users only, reducing the attack surface for BMC vulnerabilities.
  2. Apply Patches Promptly: Check with vendors (e.g., HPE, Lenovo, Supermicro) for firmware updates addressing CVE-2024-54085, released on March 11, 2025. Schedule controlled downtime to apply patches, as delays increase exposure to active exploits.
  3. Monitor for Anomalies: Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor BMC traffic for unauthorized access attempts. Regularly review logs to detect early signs of exploitation, such as unusual commands or connections.
  4. Harden Configurations: Disable unnecessary BMC features, enforce strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where supported. Regularly audit configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices.
  5. Conduct Vulnerability Assessments: Partner with a managed security service provider (MSSP) like Black Belt Secure to perform comprehensive scans for BMC vulnerabilities and other weaknesses in your server infrastructure.
  6. Implement Zero-Trust Security: Adopt a zero-trust approach for BMC access, verifying every user and connection. Use tools like network segmentation and role-based access control (RBAC) to minimize risks.

Secure Your Servers Today

Don’t let BMC vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-54085 compromise your infrastructure. Protect your servers today with Black Belt Secure’s expert cybersecurity solutions. Click here for a free vulnerability assessment to fortify your defenses against emerging threats. Subscribe to our blog for the latest updates and stay ahead of cyber risks. Get in touch now!