CVE-2013-3576 in System Management Homepage
Summary
by MITRE
ginkgosnmp.inc in HP System Management Homepage (SMH) allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the PATH_INFO to smhutil/snmpchp.php.en.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3576 resides within the HP System Management Homepage (SMH) software, specifically in the ginkgosnmp.inc component. This flaw represents a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability occurs when the smhutil/snmpchp.php.en script processes PATH_INFO parameters without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious command execution through shell metacharacters.
This security weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities. The flaw operates by allowing attackers who have already established authentication credentials to manipulate the PATH_INFO parameter sent to the snmpchp.php.en endpoint. When the system processes these unvalidated inputs, it incorporates shell metacharacters into command execution flows, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected system. An authenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrative access might be limited to specific user groups.
The attack vector specifically targets the web-based management interface of HP SMH, which is commonly used for system monitoring and management in data center environments. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on HP system management tools, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management functions. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of HP SMH, making it a widespread concern across various deployments.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from HP, implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to command injection and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to management interfaces, as well as regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.