CVE-2017-12534 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12534 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504). This enterprise-grade network management platform serves as a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing HPE networking equipment across large-scale deployments. The vulnerability specifically resides in the platform's handling of certain network protocols and administrative functions that are exposed to external network interfaces, creating an attack surface that malicious actors could exploit to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw manifests in the improper validation of input parameters within the platform's web-based management interface, which allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected service account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and parameter validation mechanisms within the iMC PLAT web services. Attackers can leverage this weakness by sending specially crafted requests to the platform's administrative endpoints, which then process these inputs without adequate filtering or validation. This design flaw aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute malicious payloads directly on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to enterprise network management infrastructure. Organizations utilizing HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0504) face significant risks including data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The compromised platform could serve as a launching point for attacks against other systems within the organization's network perimeter, particularly given that iMC platforms often maintain access to critical network devices and administrative credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with extensive HPE networking deployments that rely on centralized management, as the compromise of the management platform can cascade into widespread network disruption and security breaches. The attack vector typically involves sending malformed HTTP requests to the web interface, which then triggers the code execution path within the vulnerable application code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12534 primarily focus on immediate remediation through official software updates provided by HPE. Organizations should upgrade to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or newer versions that contain the necessary security patches addressing the input validation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rule enforcement should be implemented to restrict external access to the iMC platform's administrative interfaces, limiting the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns and unauthorized access attempts, as well as establishing robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as principle of least privilege, regular security assessments, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify and respond to similar vulnerabilities in enterprise infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities in network management platforms.