CVE-2017-12537 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 CVE-2017-12537 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 network infrastructure through a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the iMC platform's web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute malicious commands directly on the server hosting the management center. This flaw specifically impacts the platform's handling of user-supplied data within web requests, which fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before processing. The vulnerability was identified and addressed by HPE in version PLAT 7.3 (E0506) and subsequent releases, indicating that the flaw existed in the specific build referenced in the CVE description.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common web application security weaknesses categorized under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental flaw in software design. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that include specially formatted payloads designed to bypass security controls and execute code within the context of the web application. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potentially allow full system compromise, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the network or direct network proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network management systems are often exposed to external networks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management and monitoring activities. The compromised system could serve as a launching point for lateral movement within the network, allowing attackers to access other connected systems and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels. The implications include potential disruption of critical network services, unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration data, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors for continued unauthorized access. Organizations using the affected version may face regulatory compliance issues if the vulnerability results in data breaches or service disruptions, particularly in industries with strict security requirements such as finance, healthcare, or government sectors.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the deployment of HPE's official patch release version 7.3 (E0506) or subsequent updates. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and implementation of network segmentation to limit the potential impact if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running the affected software versions and ensure that all network management infrastructure is updated to the latest secure releases. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future, aligning with defensive strategies recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for protecting against remote code execution attacks.