CVE-2017-12535 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-2017-12535 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This vulnerability resides within HPE's network management platform, which is widely deployed for managing and monitoring enterprise networks, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to corporate infrastructure. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network data.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the iMC platform's web interface handling mechanisms. Specifically, the vulnerability manifests when the system processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization, creating an injection point that attackers can exploit to execute malicious commands. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, and CWE-94, which addresses improper control of generation of code, commonly known as code injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists in the platform's web server component where it fails to properly validate and sanitize parameters passed through HTTP requests, allowing attackers to manipulate input fields and inject malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the iMC platform and subsequently compromise the entire network infrastructure it manages. Network administrators rely on iMC for critical functions including device monitoring, configuration management, and security policy enforcement, making the platform a strategic target for attackers seeking persistent access. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling them to install backdoors, exfiltrate network configuration data, or use the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other network segments. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that iMC systems are often deployed in enterprise environments with extensive network coverage and sensitive operational data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including patching to version 7.3 E0506 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the code execution flaw. Network segmentation and firewall rule implementation should be enforced to restrict access to iMC services from untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous access patterns or command execution attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) highlights the potential for attackers to leverage the compromised system for further lateral movement and privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address iMC platform compromises, given the critical nature of the platform's role in enterprise network management operations.