CVE-2018-7076 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability was identified in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) prior to iMC PLAT 7.3 E0605P04.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-7076 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) software versions prior to PLAT 7.3 E0605P04. This vulnerability resides within the web application framework of the iMC platform, which serves as a comprehensive network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates as a centralized management interface for HPE network infrastructure components, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to network management capabilities. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the iMC platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system without proper credentials. This flaw significantly undermines the security posture of organizations relying on iMC for network monitoring and management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the iMC web application components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially malformed requests that bypass authentication checks and directly invoke system functions. The flaw operates through a combination of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data and inadequate access controls that allow unauthenticated users to manipulate the application's internal processing logic. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to CWE-77 and CWE-94 which address command injection and code execution vulnerabilities. The exploitation process typically involves sending crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the application's parameter handling mechanisms, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution at the system level. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when combined with other attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7076 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential network-wide infiltration. Organizations utilizing affected iMC versions face risks of data exfiltration, system modification, and establishment of persistent backdoors within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can target the system from external networks without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where iMC serves as a central management point for critical network components, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt network operations, steal sensitive configuration data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against other network segments. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but also potentially exposes other connected devices managed through the compromised iMC platform.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability before it can be exploited in production environments. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to HPE iMC PLAT 7.3 E0605P04 or later versions that contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to iMC management interfaces, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Security administrators should also conduct comprehensive network scans to identify any potentially compromised systems and implement monitoring for unusual system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular patch management processes must be established to ensure timely deployment of security updates and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls to reduce the impact of any successful exploitation attempts.