CVE-2017-12516 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-2017-12516 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504. This security defect resides in the platform's handling of user-supplied input within specific web application components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management and monitoring operations, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of their network infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests in the improper validation and sanitization of input parameters that are processed by the web server components, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to gain full administrative privileges on the affected system without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT web interface components, creating a condition that aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted payloads that are then processed by the vulnerable application logic. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically affecting the web server's ability to properly sanitize user input before processing, which enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically command and script injection, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate the underlying operating system through the web application interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12516 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive network information. Organizations utilizing HPE iMC for network management face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized access to network devices, configuration changes, and the potential for data exfiltration from the managed network environment. Additionally, the compromised system may serve as a launch point for further attacks against other network segments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where iMC is used for comprehensive network monitoring and management. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core management platform, potentially disrupting network operations and compromising the integrity of network management data.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations by upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 E0506 or any subsequent release that addresses this vulnerability. The upgrade process should include thorough testing in non-production environments to ensure compatibility with existing network management workflows. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit access to the iMC platform, particularly restricting direct internet access to the management interface. Organizations should also deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks, while access controls should be strictly enforced through multi-factor authentication and role-based access restrictions. The remediation process should also include network monitoring to detect any unauthorized access attempts or anomalous system behavior that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring and alerting mechanisms to quickly identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts.