CVE-2017-12538 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-2017-12538 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT version 7.3 (E0504) that poses significant operational risks to enterprise network management systems. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the iMC platform, which serves as a centralized control point for network infrastructure monitoring and management across organizations. The affected system operates as a comprehensive network management solution that handles critical network operations including device monitoring, configuration management, and system administration tasks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application layer of the iMC platform. Specifically, the flaw allows attackers to inject malicious code through improperly sanitized user inputs that are processed by the application's backend components. This weakness enables unauthorized remote execution of arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the application service account. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization or validation, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute malicious payloads directly on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12538 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative control over the iMC platform, potentially affecting thousands of network devices managed through the system. The implications include data exfiltration, network disruption, lateral movement within the enterprise network, and potential use as a launchpad for further attacks against other network segments. Organizations relying on iMC for network management operations face severe business continuity risks, as the compromise of this system can disrupt critical network monitoring and management functions.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as mapping to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell." The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a command injection flaw that can be exploited through web interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where iMC systems often serve as central points of network administration. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deployment of the patched version HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or later releases, along with network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures should include regular security assessments, implementation of web application firewalls, and comprehensive network access controls to limit potential attack vectors targeting the management interface.
The remediation process requires careful planning and execution to ensure system availability during patch deployment while maintaining operational security. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before widespread deployment, as the iMC platform serves as a critical infrastructure component for network operations. Security teams must also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, ensuring rapid detection and containment of any unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation controls in enterprise management systems.