CVE-2017-12494 in iMC PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version PLAT 7.3 (E0504) was found. The problem was resolved in HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or any subsequent version.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12494 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that exposes organizations to significant operational and security risks. This issue affects the centralized network management platform used by enterprises to monitor and manage their IT infrastructure, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise network environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the iMC platform's web interface, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data during certain administrative operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper sanitization of parameters passed to the web application's backend processing components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, enabling adversaries to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands on compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected iMC platform and potentially the entire network management infrastructure. Organizations using this version of HPE iMC face risks including data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and the potential for lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to modify network configurations, disable security controls, and gain access to sensitive network management credentials and operational data.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0506) or any subsequent release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations lacking immediate access to patched versions should implement network segmentation, deploy web application firewalls, and restrict access to the affected system through network access controls. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential compromise and ensure that all administrative interfaces are properly secured against similar vulnerabilities.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise network management systems. Given that iMC platforms often serve as central points of control for extensive network infrastructures, a single unpatched vulnerability can provide attackers with unprecedented access to critical network resources. This incident underscores the necessity of implementing robust vulnerability management processes and continuous monitoring procedures to detect and remediate security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.