CVE-2017-12504 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-2017-12504 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504). This enterprise-grade network management platform serves as a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing HPE networking equipment, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the platform's handling of certain input parameters within its web interface, creating an avenue for unauthorized remote code execution that could potentially allow attackers to gain complete control over the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the iMC platform's web application layer. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are processed by the system without proper validation, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target server. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which represents one of the most prevalent causes of security vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such platforms often serve as central management points for critical infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12504 extends far beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application. This capability allows malicious actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive network configuration data, modify system settings, or even escalate their privileges to gain administrative access across the entire network management infrastructure. Organizations utilizing HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0504) face significant risk of unauthorized network access, potential data breaches, and disruption of critical network management functions. The vulnerability's presence in the platform's web interface makes it particularly attractive to attackers who may leverage it as a foothold for broader network infiltration, aligning with tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and script interpreter.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment for network management systems, particularly in environments where multiple network management platforms exist. The remediation approach requires immediate deployment of HPE's patched version PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or subsequent releases, as this update addresses the underlying input validation issues that enable the exploit. Organizations should also implement network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, alongside continuous monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the high-risk category of security issues, warranting immediate attention from both security operations teams and executive leadership within affected organizations.