CVE-2017-12507 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-2017-12507 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 specifically affects the iMC platform's handling of user input within its web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring authentication. The flaw exists in the platform's processing of specially crafted HTTP requests that are not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on HPE iMC for network infrastructure management, potentially compromising entire network ecosystems through unauthorized access to critical management functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT web application layer, which falls under CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's request handling process by injecting malicious payloads through HTTP parameters that are processed without proper sanitization. The flaw operates at the application level where user-supplied data is directly interpreted and executed by the system, creating a direct path for remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full system control, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and continued unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network management systems are accessible from untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12507 extends beyond simple system compromise to encompass complete network infrastructure takeover, as the iMC platform serves as a central management point for enterprise networks. Organizations utilizing affected versions may face unauthorized access to network device configurations, user credentials, and system monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability's presence in the PLAT 7.3 (E0504) release means that enterprises with this version installed are exposed to potential attacks that could result in service disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations. Network administrators managing multiple devices through the iMC platform face elevated risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands on the management server itself, potentially compromising all managed network assets. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework aligns with techniques such as T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries execute commands on compromised systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of the iMC platform to untrusted networks, while implementing additional monitoring to detect suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions within their infrastructure, ensuring that patch management processes are prioritized for immediate remediation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation controls in enterprise management platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the attack surface extends to any network where the affected iMC platform is accessible.