CVE-2017-5820 in Intelligent Management Center PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504P04 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5820 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504P04, a widely deployed network management platform used by enterprises for monitoring and managing their IT infrastructure. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the iMC platform, which serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and managing network devices across organizations. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's processing of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically affects the platform's handling of certain HTTP parameters and input fields within the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted payload that leverages improper input validation in the iMC web application's backend processing components. Attackers can manipulate specific parameters within HTTP requests to inject malicious code that gets executed with the privileges of the web application process, typically running with elevated system permissions. This flaw falls under the category of input validation vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to bypass security checks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the iMC platform often runs with administrative privileges on network management servers, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over the management platform and potentially the entire network infrastructure it monitors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many organizations rely on iMC for critical network operations management, making it an attractive target for sophisticated adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5820 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations using affected iMC versions. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and the ability to manipulate network configurations. This vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor for attackers who can maintain long-term access to the network management infrastructure, potentially enabling them to monitor network traffic, modify device configurations, or launch further attacks against other systems within the network perimeter. Organizations that rely on iMC for their network management operations face significant risk of supply chain attacks, as attackers can use this vulnerability to establish footholds within enterprise networks and subsequently pivot to other targets. The vulnerability's exploitation can also result in service disruption, as attackers may choose to corrupt system files or disable critical network management functions, leading to operational downtime and potential regulatory compliance issues.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-5820 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by HPE to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the iMC management interface, limiting exposure to unauthorized users and reducing the attack surface. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual HTTP requests or patterns that may indicate malicious activity targeting the vulnerable components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as implementing least privilege access controls, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations. From a defensive standpoint, organizations should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block known exploitation patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, security teams should perform regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems and ensure that security controls are properly configured to prevent unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management platforms. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust security monitoring procedures to protect against zero-day vulnerabilities in widely deployed enterprise software solutions.