CVE-2017-12502 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-2017-12502 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 E0504, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This remote code execution vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure management platforms that typically require elevated privileges to operate. The HPE Intelligent Management Center serves as a comprehensive platform for managing network infrastructure, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise enterprise network environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT web application interface, specifically within the handling of user-supplied data in certain web service endpoints. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-20, which describes weaknesses related to improper input validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-77, which addresses command injection vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly execute commands on the target system through the web interface. The vulnerability exists in the platform's handling of specific HTTP parameters or API calls that are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying application logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple system compromise, as the iMC platform typically serves as a central management hub for enterprise networks, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. Successful exploitation of CVE-2017-12502 allows adversaries to gain full administrative control over the affected system, enabling them to manipulate network configurations, extract sensitive data, establish backdoors, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to command and control through web services and privilege escalation. Organizations using this platform may face complete network compromise, as attackers can leverage the administrative access to modify network policies, monitor traffic, and deploy additional malicious tools throughout the enterprise environment.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 E0506 or any subsequent release that contains the necessary security patches. Organizations should also implement network segmentation strategies to limit access to the iMC platform, particularly restricting access to only authorized administrative users and systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in web service requests and API calls that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network management infrastructure to identify any other potentially affected systems that may be running vulnerable versions of the iMC platform, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other HPE management solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise management platforms, as these systems often serve as prime targets for advanced persistent threats due to their privileged access and central role in network operations.