CVE-2017-8973 in Matrix Operating Environment
Summary
by MITRE
An improper input validation vulnerability in HPE Matrix Operating Environment version 7.6 LR1 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8973 represents a critical improper input validation flaw within the HPE Matrix Operating Environment version 7.6 LR1 software platform. This issue resides in the system's handling of user-supplied data during processing operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the environment's input validation mechanisms. The HPE Matrix Operating Environment serves as a foundational platform for managing complex IT infrastructures, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its stability and security. The flaw manifests when the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious data that could disrupt normal operations or escalate privileges. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" which is a fundamental security weakness that has been consistently ranked among the top causes of software security failures. The improper validation occurs at the application level where user inputs are processed without sufficient sanitization or verification mechanisms. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under the technique of "Command and Scripting Interpreter" where malicious input could be executed to manipulate the target system. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources or potentially compromise the entire operating environment. Organizations using this specific version of HPE Matrix Operating Environment face significant risk exposure due to the nature of the input validation failure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation within the software's input processing routines. When legitimate users or attackers provide input to the system, the validation checks fail to properly filter or sanitize the data before it is processed by the underlying system components. This weakness allows for the injection of malformed or malicious input that could bypass normal security controls and potentially execute unintended operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a fundamental level where user interaction with the system's core functionality is permitted without adequate protective measures. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specific input sequences that would be processed by the system but not properly validated, leading to potential system instability or unauthorized access. The lack of proper input validation creates multiple attack vectors including but not limited to command injection, data manipulation, and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in version 7.6 LR1 indicates that it was likely present in a widely deployed version of the software, increasing the potential attack surface and impact across multiple organizations. Security researchers have identified that this type of vulnerability often requires minimal skill to exploit and can result in significant operational disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8973 extends far beyond immediate technical disruption to encompass broader organizational security implications. Organizations utilizing HPE Matrix Operating Environment in production environments face potential data integrity issues, system availability concerns, and increased risk of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive data, or potentially gain elevated privileges within the operating environment. This risk is compounded by the fact that the affected system serves as a foundational platform for managing enterprise IT operations, meaning a successful exploitation could have cascading effects throughout the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in service interruptions, data loss, or unauthorized system modifications that would require significant remediation efforts. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance challenges if the vulnerability leads to unauthorized data access or system compromise, particularly in industries with strict security requirements. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used enterprise operating environment, making it an attractive target for both opportunistic and targeted attacks. The potential for remote code execution through this input validation flaw means that attackers could gain persistent access to affected systems without requiring physical presence or extensive reconnaissance. Organizations must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on their overall security posture, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the system's input handling capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8973 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the input validation weakness in HPE Matrix Operating Environment version 7.6 LR1. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Input validation should be strengthened through the implementation of comprehensive sanitization routines that filter and validate all user-supplied data before processing. Organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious input patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader IT infrastructure. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls can help minimize the potential damage from exploitation attempts, while regular system monitoring can detect anomalous behavior that may indicate successful exploitation. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle vulnerabilities of this nature, ensuring rapid identification and containment of any exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of the HPE Matrix Operating Environment that have addressed this vulnerability, as newer releases typically include enhanced security controls and improved input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as CWE-20 underscores the importance of implementing robust input validation as a fundamental security control across all application components. Regular security awareness training for system administrators and developers can help prevent similar issues from arising in custom applications or third-party integrations that may interact with the affected environment.