CVE-2017-12525 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-2017-12525 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that exposes organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This remote code execution vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise network management platforms that typically require elevated privileges and network access. The issue stems from improper input validation and handling within the iMC platform's web interface components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain control over the management center and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure it oversees.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-77, which addresses command injection flaws. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and manipulate the platform's internal processing functions. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of HPE iMC PLAT, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed by the application's backend components. This flaw enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12525 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader organizational security implications. Network administrators who rely on HPE iMC for managing enterprise infrastructure face potential exposure of sensitive network data, disruption of management operations, and possible unauthorized access to critical network devices. The vulnerability affects organizations that depend on centralized network management platforms, where a single compromised management center could provide attackers with visibility into multiple network segments and facilitate further attacks. According to ATT&CK framework category T1210, this vulnerability enables exploitation of remote services, while T1059 represents the command and scripting interpreter techniques that attackers can employ to execute malicious code within the compromised environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0506) or later releases, which contain the necessary patches to address the remote code execution flaw. Network segmentation and firewall restrictions should be implemented to limit access to the iMC management interface, particularly restricting access to trusted administrative networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access controls and privileged access management solutions to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of future vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing compatibility issues with existing network management workflows.