CVE-2017-12526 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-2017-12526 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 infrastructure. This vulnerability resides within the management center's web interface handling mechanisms, specifically affecting the platform's ability to properly validate and process user-supplied input data. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system remotely, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on HPE iMC for network monitoring, configuration management, and system administration tasks.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the web application's processing pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, where user-controllable data is not adequately sanitized before being processed by the application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, and gain full administrative control over the iMC platform. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows for persistent backdoor establishment and lateral movement within the network infrastructure managed by the compromised system.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0504) as their primary network management solution. Successful exploitation could result in complete network infrastructure compromise, unauthorized access to critical system configurations, data exfiltration, and disruption of essential network services. Organizations may experience unauthorized modifications to network policies, potential denial of service conditions, and exposure of sensitive network management credentials. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as it enables both code execution and potential privilege escalation through legitimate management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12526 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or subsequent releases. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the iMC management interfaces, restrict remote access to authorized personnel only, and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strict firewall rules, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of the management infrastructure. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing remote code execution vulnerabilities and ensure comprehensive logging and monitoring of management interface activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of timely patch management and regular security assessments of enterprise management platforms to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could lead to widespread system compromise.