CVE-2013-4813 in ProCurve Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Agent (aka AgentController) servlet in HP ProCurve Manager (PCM) 3.20 and 4.0, PCM+ 3.20 and 4.0, and Identity Driven Manager (IDM) 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a HEAD request, aka ZDI-CAN-1745.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4813 represents a critical remote command execution flaw within HP ProCurve Manager and related products, specifically affecting versions 3.20 and 4.0 of PCM, PCM+, and IDM. This vulnerability exists within the Agent servlet component, which serves as a crucial interface for managing network device configurations and monitoring activities. The flaw manifests through an improper handling of HTTP HEAD requests, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems without requiring authentication or prior access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-77 as a command injection flaw, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation and request processing within the web application layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of HTTP request parameters within the AgentController servlet. When the system processes a HEAD request containing specially crafted command parameters, it fails to properly validate or escape the input before executing any operations. This allows attackers to prepend command execution directives to legitimate requests, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, where legitimate administrative functions are processed, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operational traffic and malicious command injection attempts. The flaw essentially provides an attack surface that enables remote code execution with the privileges of the web application user, which typically has extensive system access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network management operations. Organizations using affected versions of HP ProCurve Manager and related systems face significant risks including unauthorized access to network device configurations, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate network infrastructure settings. The vulnerability affects not only the management capabilities but also the overall security posture of enterprise networks that rely on these platforms for device monitoring and configuration management. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or disrupt network operations. The implications are particularly severe in environments where network administrators trust the management interface for critical infrastructure operations, as this vulnerability allows attackers to assume administrative control over network devices and management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4813 should focus on immediate patch deployment and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of HP ProCurve Manager and related products, as HP released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the affected servlet endpoints, particularly blocking direct internet access to management interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application interfaces to execute system commands. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting thorough network monitoring for suspicious HEAD request patterns, and establishing robust access controls. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary administrative functions and implementing strict input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network management systems to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.