CVE-2017-12561 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in HPE intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version Plat 7.3 E0504P4 and earlier was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12561 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center iMC PLAT version 7.3 E0504P4 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the iMC platform, which serves as a comprehensive network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates as a centralized management tool that handles various network monitoring, configuration, and administration tasks across diverse network infrastructures. The flaw specifically impacts the platform's handling of user-supplied input within its web application framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. Security researchers discovered that the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's processing pipeline, particularly in how it handles certain parameters passed through HTTP requests. This weakness allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly inject malicious code into the system's execution environment.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-12561 occurs through a carefully crafted HTTP request that leverages the platform's insufficient sanitization of user inputs. When the iMC web application processes these malformed requests, it fails to properly validate or escape special characters and command sequences that could be interpreted as executable code. This vulnerability maps to CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')", specifically manifesting as a command injection flaw. The attack vector typically involves manipulating parameters within the web interface to inject OS commands that execute with the privileges of the web application process. This allows attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the network management infrastructure. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires no prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the iMC platform is accessible from untrusted networks or exposed to the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple system compromise, as the iMC platform serves as a critical management component for enterprise network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing this platform for network monitoring, device configuration, and system administration face significant risks when this vulnerability is exploited. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate network configurations, disable security controls, access sensitive network data, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network perimeter. The compromised iMC platform could become a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain long-term access to the enterprise network. Additionally, the platform's role in managing various network devices means that attackers could potentially disrupt network operations, modify device settings, or intercept network traffic. This vulnerability affects organizations across multiple industries including finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications, where network management systems are critical for business continuity and security operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation of CVE-2017-12561, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for the affected iMC platform versions. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to restrict access to the iMC platform, limiting exposure to only authorized administrative users and systems. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network activity or command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and ports associated with the iMC platform when not actively required. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", and T1059.003, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell", as attackers would leverage these techniques to execute malicious commands on compromised systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software and ensure complete remediation across the enterprise network infrastructure.