CVE-2017-12529 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-2017-12529 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This issue affects the management and monitoring capabilities of enterprise networks, particularly those utilizing HPE's iMC platform for centralized network management. The vulnerability resides in the platform's handling of certain input parameters within its web interface, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the application's backend components. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that bypass authentication and authorization controls, enabling them to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network administrators interact with the platform via web browsers. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design that enables injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive network configuration data, or disrupt critical network management operations. Organizations relying on HPE iMC for network monitoring and management face the risk of unauthorized network access, which could result in service disruption, data breaches, or compromise of the entire network management ecosystem. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or direct network proximity, making it particularly dangerous for distributed enterprise environments.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patch version HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or any subsequent release that addresses this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the iMC platform, particularly limiting administrative access to trusted network segments. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor network traffic for suspicious activities that may indicate an active attack. The remediation process should follow industry best practices aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing techniques related to remote code execution and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be targeted by both automated scanning tools and sophisticated threat actors seeking to establish persistent access within enterprise network management systems.