CVE-2017-8975 in Moonshot Provisioning Manager Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Hewlett Packard Enterprise Moonshot Provisioning Manager Appliance version v1.20 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The CVE-2017-8975 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Hewlett Packard Enterprise Moonshot Provisioning Manager Appliance version v1.20, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the appliance's web interface, allowing attackers to inject malicious code through crafted HTTP requests. The affected system operates as a provisioning manager for HP Moonshot infrastructure, managing the deployment and configuration of compute modules within enterprise data centers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the appliance's handling of user-supplied parameters in its web-based administrative interface, creating an attack vector that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper sanitization of input fields within the provisioning manager's web application layer. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass validation checks and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This flaw falls under CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, representing improper control of generation of code. The vulnerability allows for command injection attacks where malicious input is interpreted and executed as system commands, potentially enabling full system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning as the provisioning manager appliance typically runs with elevated privileges, amplifying the impact of successful exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8975 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to enterprise infrastructure. Organizations utilizing HP Moonshot systems may face data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their networks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The provisioning manager appliance serves as a critical component in enterprise data center operations, managing the deployment of compute modules across multiple nodes, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to infrastructure. This vulnerability can enable attackers to modify provisioning configurations, deploy malicious software across multiple nodes, or establish backdoors for continued access. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1078, Valid Accounts, as exploitation typically requires command execution capabilities and may involve account manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8975 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from HP, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate the provisioning manager appliance from critical network segments, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential lateral movement. Access controls must be strengthened through mandatory authentication requirements, firewall rules, and network access control lists to restrict unauthorized access to the appliance's administrative interfaces. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and protection against exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary services, applying least privilege principles to administrative accounts, and implementing regular security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to the provisioning manager appliance, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and potential future exploitation attempts.