CVE-2017-5806 in Intelligent Management Center PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.2 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5806 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) Platform version 7.2. This enterprise-grade network management solution serves as a comprehensive platform for monitoring and managing HPE networking equipment, making it a prime target for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise large-scale network infrastructures. The vulnerability resides in the platform's handling of certain input parameters within its web interface, creating an avenue for unauthorized remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The implications of this flaw extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the iMC platform and subsequently access the entire network infrastructure it manages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the iMC platform's web application layer. Specifically, the flaw occurs when the system processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious inputs to be interpreted as executable commands. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that frequently leads to code execution vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system. The vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of iMC PLAT 7.2, where the improper handling of parameters leads to command injection that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application user.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5806 is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management. Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the management platform, providing attackers with the ability to monitor network traffic, modify configurations, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or insider knowledge, making it accessible to threat actors worldwide. Organizations using this platform may experience unauthorized access to sensitive network information, potential data exfiltration, and disruption of network management services. The attack could also facilitate lateral movement within the network as attackers leverage the compromised iMC platform to gain visibility into connected devices and systems, creating a significant risk for enterprise security postures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5806 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from HPE, as the vendor released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the iMC platform, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the management interface. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strict firewall rules, and monitoring network traffic for anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege in network management systems. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential compromises. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication and privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for organizations following MITRE ATT&CK methodology for threat analysis and defense planning.