CVE-2017-8984 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0506P03 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8984 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT version 7.3 E0506P03, a widely deployed network management platform used by enterprises for monitoring and managing their IT infrastructure. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the iMC platform, specifically affecting the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to administrative functions. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application, potentially allowing complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network data.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper access controls within the iMC platform's web services. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate parameters in HTTP requests to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to administrative functions. This issue is classified as a CWE-287 - Improper Authentication, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces. The vulnerability affects the platform's web-based management interface, where insufficient sanitization of user inputs permits attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then executed by the application server, creating a path for remote code execution without requiring valid credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify network configurations, escalate privileges to system administrator level, and potentially use the compromised iMC platform as a launch point for lateral movement within the enterprise network. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 E0506P03, particularly those with exposed web interfaces or those that have not implemented proper network segmentation. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain strict network access controls or have outdated security configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8984 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to the iMC platform to only authorized administrative networks and establish strict firewall rules to limit exposure of the web interface to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts, enabling detailed logging and auditing of administrative activities, and conducting regular security assessments of network management systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for continuous vulnerability management and secure configuration practices. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities in network management platforms.