CVE-2017-8981 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0506 was found.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8981 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0506, posing significant security risks to enterprise network management systems. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the iMC platform, which serves as a centralized solution for network monitoring, configuration management, and system administration across diverse network infrastructures. The affected version of iMC PLAT operates with elevated privileges and provides access to critical network components through its web interface, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking unauthorized system compromise. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in parameters used for system commands and file operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-8981 occurs through crafted malicious input that bypasses security controls and allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the iMC service account. This flaw typically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user inputs before processing them in system calls or file operations, creating a path for command injection attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection weaknesses respectively, which are fundamental attack vectors in web application security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the iMC server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to managed network devices, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise, as the iMC platform typically serves as a central hub for network operations and monitoring. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate network configurations, disable security controls, and potentially move laterally within the network environment. The affected system may experience service disruption, unauthorized data access, and potential regulatory compliance violations given the sensitive nature of network management data. Organizations relying on iMC for network operations face significant risk of unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, and other managed devices. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target the system from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network management systems are often exposed to external threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8981 should prioritize immediate patching of affected iMC PLAT installations to version 7.3 E0507 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the identified vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the iMC platform to untrusted networks, while disabling unnecessary services and features that may contribute to attack surface expansion. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, making defensive measures such as application whitelisting and input validation critical components of the mitigation strategy. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their network management infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management tools and ensure proper network segmentation to contain potential compromise. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be maintained as part of the overall security posture to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in network infrastructure management systems.