CVE-2017-5823 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-2017-5823 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, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The flaw specifically affects the platform's handling of user input within certain administrative functions, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account. Given that iMC systems are commonly used in enterprise environments, the exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the iMC platform's web interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are processed through the vulnerable components of the application. The flaw typically manifests when the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before processing it within the application context, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed within the target system's memory space. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 standards related to injection flaws, specifically encompassing issues where untrusted data is incorporated into the command or query without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5823 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access to enterprise networks. Organizations utilizing affected iMC versions face potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized modification of network configurations. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means attackers do not need physical access or network proximity to exploit the flaw, enabling attacks from anywhere on the internet. This presents a significant risk to network administrators who rely on iMC for critical infrastructure management, as the compromise of such systems can lead to widespread network outages and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that iMC systems often serve as central management points for enterprise networks, making them prime targets for advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5823 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of iMC systems to untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct thorough network assessments to identify all instances of affected iMC versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious activities and anomalous system behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework as a remote code execution technique underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure management systems.