CVE-2017-12530 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-2017-12530 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 issue affects HPE's network management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for monitoring and managing network infrastructure components. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the iMC platform's web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring authentication. The flaw specifically impacts the platform's handling of user-supplied data in certain API endpoints, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious commands that can escalate privileges and compromise the entire system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTTP requests that manipulate input parameters within the iMC web application's processing logic. When the platform receives malformed data through its RESTful API interfaces, the insufficient sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that are subsequently executed by the application server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-74, known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," which specifically addresses the failure to properly handle special characters and commands in data processing. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution, as attackers can leverage this weakness to run arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12530 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass potential network-wide disruption and data breaches. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the iMC platform, allowing them to monitor network traffic, modify configurations, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network perimeter. Organizations using affected versions face risks including unauthorized access to sensitive network management data, potential disruption of network services, and possible lateral movement attacks that could compromise additional network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0506) or any subsequent release that contains the necessary patches. Organizations without immediate access to the latest version should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to the affected iMC platform's web interfaces, particularly from untrusted networks. Additional mitigation strategies include monitoring network traffic for suspicious API requests, implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution through version updates demonstrates HPE's commitment to addressing security concerns, though organizations must ensure proper testing and deployment procedures are followed to maintain network availability during patching operations while achieving the necessary security improvements.