CVE-2017-12497 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12497 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This remote code execution vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure management platforms that typically require elevated privileges and secure access controls. The flaw exists within the platform's handling of specific input parameters that are processed by the iMC system, creating an attack surface that can be exploited from remote locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the HPE iMC PLAT software architecture, specifically affecting how the system processes user-supplied data in certain network management functions. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be interpreted and executed by the vulnerable software components, effectively bypassing normal security controls and access restrictions. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data streams, allowing crafted inputs to be processed as executable code rather than benign data. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-74 standards for injection vulnerabilities and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential full system compromise and unauthorized access to critical network management functions. Organizations utilizing HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0504) face risks including unauthorized network monitoring, data exfiltration, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or insider threat capabilities, making it particularly attractive to external attackers seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise network management systems. Network administrators responsible for maintaining the iMC platform must consider that this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive network configurations, management credentials, and operational data that would otherwise be protected within the secure management environment.
Security mitigations for CVE-2017-12497 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or any subsequent release that addresses the identified flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation strategies to limit access to the iMC platform, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network management infrastructure. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of the updated software to ensure compatibility with existing network management workflows while verifying that the vulnerability has been properly addressed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as network access controls, privileged account management, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other network management components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust security monitoring practices for enterprise network management platforms that serve as central control points for critical infrastructure operations.