CVE-2017-12503 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-2017-12503 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that poses significant operational risks to enterprise network management systems. This vulnerability resides within the iMC platform's handling of specific network protocols and administrative functions, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw specifically affects the platform's processing of certain input parameters within its management interfaces, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring legitimate credentials. The vulnerability impacts organizations that rely on HPE's network management solutions for monitoring and controlling their enterprise infrastructure, potentially exposing critical network components to compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT software architecture, particularly in how it processes administrative commands and network management protocol interactions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') and CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'), both of which fall under the broader category of injection flaws that enable attackers to execute malicious code. The flaw operates by accepting specially crafted input through network management interfaces that are then improperly processed, leading to code execution with the privileges of the affected service account. This issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the platform's security design where input sanitization and validation mechanisms fail to adequately protect against malicious data injection attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on centralized management platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12503 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive network management data including configuration information, user credentials, and network topology details. The vulnerability's presence in PLAT 7.3 (E0504) creates a significant risk for organizations managing large-scale networks, as compromised iMC systems can provide attackers with comprehensive visibility into enterprise network operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell), T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), and T1078 (Valid Accounts), as attackers can use the compromised system to move laterally and maintain persistence. Organizations utilizing vulnerable iMC platforms face potential data breaches, network disruption, and compliance violations that can result in substantial financial and operational consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12503 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch updates, specifically upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or newer versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the iMC platform to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous administrative activities and potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and harden the iMC platform's configuration settings, disable unnecessary services, and establish strict access controls for administrative accounts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that the security update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network management workflows and that all security controls remain effective. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in network management systems.