CVE-2017-8963 in Intelligent Management Center PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Hewlett Packard Enterprise Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504P2 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The CVE-2017-8963 vulnerability represents a critical deserialization flaw within Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Intelligent Management Center platform version 7.3 E0504P2. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure deserialization issues that have plagued numerous enterprise applications and operating systems. The flaw exists in how the iMC platform processes serialized data objects, particularly when handling user input through various network interfaces. The vulnerability is classified as a deserialization of untrusted data issue, which is commonly associated with CWE-502 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. This weakness specifically addresses scenarios where applications deserialize data from untrusted sources without proper validation or sanitization, creating potential attack vectors for remote code execution and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the platform's failure to properly validate or sanitize serialized objects received through network communications. When legitimate users or attackers submit serialized data to the iMC platform, the system attempts to deserialize this information without adequate security controls. This deserialization process allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed, can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the platform's management interfaces, which typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive system resources. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, execute commands with system-level privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the enterprise network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded through the platform's web-based management console and various API endpoints that accept serialized data inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8963 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within enterprise networks. Organizations utilizing the affected iMC version face significant risks including data breaches, system infiltration, and disruption of critical network management functions. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, as the deserialization flaw allows for privilege escalation through the manipulation of serialized objects. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where unauthorized individuals can gain administrative access to network management systems, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure. The attack vector is primarily remote, making it accessible to threat actors without physical access to the systems, and the exploitation can occur through various network protocols supported by the iMC platform. Organizations that rely on iMC for network management and monitoring are particularly vulnerable, as the platform often serves as a central point of control for network operations and security policies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8963 require immediate implementation of multiple security controls to address the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for the iMC platform, as HP released specific fixes for this vulnerability in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected platform to untrusted networks and users. The implementation of strict input validation and sanitization measures is essential, particularly for any serialized data processing within the application. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization activities and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to establish persistence and execute further malicious activities. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise applications that may be susceptible to the same deserialization attack patterns. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network management workflows and configurations.