CVE-2017-12499 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-2017-12499 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 E0504, specifically affecting the platform's handling of user input in certain web-based administrative interfaces. This vulnerability resides within the iMC platform's web server component that processes requests from remote clients, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could exploit improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthorized remote code execution without authentication, enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the web application's request processing pipeline. Attackers can craft specially malformed requests that bypass input validation controls, leading to code injection into the underlying operating system. This weakness aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, and specifically relates to CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize parameters passed through HTTP requests, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the web application process. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such management systems are often exposed to external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. Organizations utilizing HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 E0504 face significant risks including data exfiltration, system infiltration, and disruption of network management services. The vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, modify network configurations, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacking other network segments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1071.004 for application layer protocol. The exposure of management systems to unauthenticated remote code execution creates a severe risk for network infrastructure security, particularly in environments where iMC is used for critical network monitoring and management functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12499 primarily involve immediate deployment of HPE's official patch release version 7.3 E0506 or subsequent versions that address the input validation weaknesses. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to iMC management interfaces, restrict administrative access through firewall rules, and employ network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise of affected systems and establish incident response procedures. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization controls and strengthening the application's request validation mechanisms, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable code. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their network management infrastructure.