CVE-2017-12528 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-2017-12528 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 (E0504). This sophisticated security weakness resides in the platform's handling of user input within specific administrative functions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring legitimate credentials. The vulnerability affects organizations utilizing HPE's network management solution, which is widely deployed across enterprise environments for monitoring and managing network infrastructure components.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT web interface, specifically within the processing of HTTP requests containing specially crafted payloads. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and more specifically aligns with CWE-77, representing command injection weaknesses. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting maliciously formatted requests that bypass normal validation checks, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the web application process. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 indicates it enables adversaries to execute code through scriptlets, while T1190 suggests it may facilitate initial access through exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Organizations relying on iMC for network management face significant risks including data exfiltration, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects critical network management functions that typically operate with elevated privileges, making the potential damage multiplier. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain administrative control over network devices, modify network configurations, or establish persistent access points within the enterprise environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12528 require immediate action from affected organizations, beginning with the deployment of the patched version HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or subsequent releases. Network administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of web application logs for suspicious activity patterns and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary administrative functions, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of the iMC environment. Organizations should also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of any exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of related vulnerabilities that may affect similar network management platforms within their infrastructure.