CVE-2017-8983 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504P4 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8983 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0504P4, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the iMC platform, which serves as a centralized management solution for network infrastructure components including switches, routers, and security devices. The affected system operates on a Java-based web application framework that processes user inputs through various API endpoints and web services, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to corporate network management systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the iMC platform's web application layer. Specifically, the flaw manifests when the system processes certain HTTP requests containing malformed parameters or specially crafted payloads that bypass authentication checks and input filtering mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary code that executes within the context of the web server process, effectively granting them elevated privileges and complete control over the management platform. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing improper input validation and code injection weaknesses that enable remote code execution through web interfaces. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious commands on the target system, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to network infrastructure management capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8983 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for environments where the iMC platform is accessible from untrusted networks or where default configurations leave management interfaces exposed to external traffic. Organizations utilizing this platform for critical network infrastructure management face severe consequences including data breaches, network disruption, and potential lateral movement attacks that could compromise entire network segments. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that iMC platforms often serve as central points for managing multiple network devices, meaning a successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to numerous network components simultaneously.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework tactics, particularly focusing on initial access and execution phases. The flaw enables attackers to establish persistent access through command and control channels, potentially leveraging the compromised iMC platform as a staging ground for further network infiltration. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patch deployment from HPE, network segmentation to isolate management interfaces, and implementation of web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify any exposed iMC instances and implement strict access controls limiting management interface access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all iMC components are properly updated and configured according to security best practices.