CVE-2017-12555 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A remote arbitrary file download and disclosure of information vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) Service Operation Management (SOM) version IMC SOM 7.3 E0501 was found.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12555 represents a critical security flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center's Service Operation Management component. This issue affects version IMC SOM 7.3 E0501 and exposes organizations to significant risks through unauthorized remote access capabilities. The vulnerability resides in the software's handling of file operations within its web interface, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper input validation within the file download functionality of the SOM module. Attackers can manipulate specific parameters in HTTP requests to trigger arbitrary file retrieval operations from the target system. This weakness allows for directory traversal attacks where malicious users can navigate beyond intended file access boundaries and potentially retrieve sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information. The vulnerability specifically targets the web server's file handling mechanisms, enabling unauthorized access to files that should remain protected within the system's secure boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe consequences for organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management and service operations. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can potentially access confidential data without physical presence or legitimate access rights. This includes sensitive configuration files, user credentials stored in system databases, and potentially proprietary network information that could compromise overall network security posture. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to potential system compromise and lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected iMC SOM services, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious file download requests, conducting thorough network monitoring for anomalous file access patterns, and performing comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all network management systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-200 Information Disclosure categories, representing a significant risk under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access and credential access phases.
Security teams must also consider implementing privileged access management solutions to limit administrative access to critical systems and establish robust monitoring protocols for file system activities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management tools and applications. The remediation process requires careful planning to avoid disrupting legitimate business operations while ensuring complete vulnerability resolution. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to prepare for potential exploitation of this vulnerability and establish clear communication protocols for security events involving network management systems.