Dell warns of malware-infected server motherboards

[Starbuck]

Company says some PowerEdge R410 machines at risk.

 

Dell has confirmed that some of its PowerEdge R410 servers have been shipping with malware preinstalled on the motherboard.

 

The malware is in a section of the server motherboard's firmware, according to reports, and is an unidentified spying application.

 

Dell said that the problem does not harm servers running non-Windows operating systems, and is not an issue with new systems shipped directly from the manufacturer.

 

"We have identified a potential issue with our service motherboard stock, and are taking preventative action with our customers accordingly," said the company in a community forum post.

 

"The potential issue involves a small number of PowerEdge server motherboards sent out through service dispatches that may contain malware. This malware code has been detected on the embedded server management firmware."

 

Dell said that it will contact the small number of customers with infected motherboards and send round engineers to rectify the problem.

 

Malware embedded in this way would be undetectable to traditional security software. and could pose a major threat.

 

 

Source:

Dell warns of malware-infected server motherboards - V3.co.uk - formerly vnunet.com