CVE-2017-12539 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-2017-12539 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 specifically affects the iMC platform's handling of certain input validation mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication. The flaw exists within the platform's web interface processing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external networks without prior access credentials. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the platform's administrative interfaces, particularly affecting components responsible for processing configuration data and management commands. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and proper validation in enterprise management platforms that handle sensitive network configuration data and administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific code path where unvalidated user input is processed through the platform's internal APIs and subsequently executed as part of the system's operational commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the insufficient input validation, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the iMC platform's privileged processes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through standard web-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on centralized network management systems. The flaw has been categorized under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on command and scripting interpreter execution. This classification indicates that the vulnerability allows adversaries to execute commands through the platform's legitimate interfaces, bypassing normal security controls and potentially gaining full administrative control over the network management infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12539 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire network management domains and potentially escalate privileges to access underlying network devices and systems. Organizations utilizing affected HPE iMC versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate network configurations. The vulnerability's presence in the PLAT 7.3 (E0504) release means that any enterprise relying on this specific version of the platform for network management is exposed to potential compromise, particularly in environments where network management systems have direct access to critical infrastructure components. Network administrators and security teams must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities, as they can provide attackers with persistent access to network management functions and potentially enable lateral movement throughout the enterprise network. The resolution requires upgrading to HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT v7.3 (E0506) or subsequent versions, which includes patched input validation mechanisms and improved security controls to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.