CVE-2018-7102 in Intelligent Management Center PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A security vulnerability in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT E0506P09, createFabricAutoCfgFile could be remotely exploited via directory traversal to allow remote arbitrary file modification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7102 resides within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) PLAT E0506P09, a comprehensive network management platform widely deployed in enterprise environments for monitoring and controlling network infrastructure. This security flaw manifests in the createFabricAutoCfgFile functionality, which is designed to automate network fabric configuration processes. The vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal issue that allows remote attackers to manipulate arbitrary files on the target system through carefully crafted requests. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the file creation mechanism, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access or modify files outside the designated boundaries. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of network management data, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure managed by the iMC platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a directory traversal pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" in the file path parameters. When the createFabricAutoCfgFile function processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, it fails to properly validate the requested file paths, allowing the attacker to specify arbitrary locations within the file system. This enables the execution of remote arbitrary file modification attacks where malicious actors can overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or corrupt configuration data. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and requires no authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by unauthenticated remote users. The attack vector operates through the standard HTTP protocols used by the iMC platform, making it difficult to detect and mitigate without proper network monitoring controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7102 extends far beyond simple file modification capabilities, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of network management systems that rely on HPE iMC platforms. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain persistent access to network infrastructure management functions and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels. The vulnerability undermines the trust model of the network management system, as attackers can modify critical configuration files that govern network behavior and security policies. Organizations using affected iMC versions face significant risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of network services. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where iMC platforms manage critical network components, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate network fabric configurations, disable security controls, or redirect network traffic. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of network management data and can compromise audit trails, making it difficult for administrators to detect unauthorized modifications. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors, modify network access controls, or disrupt network operations through configuration file corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7102 should focus on immediate patching of affected iMC versions, with HPE releasing security updates that address the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and path sanitization. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to iMC management interfaces, particularly restricting external access to administrative functions. The deployment of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts before they can be successfully executed. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary file creation functions and implementing strict access controls for iMC management interfaces. Network administrators should regularly audit file system permissions and monitor for unauthorized file modifications, particularly in directories related to network configuration management. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls for iMC management functions is essential to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in network management systems, following ATT&CK framework guidance for detecting and preventing remote code execution vulnerabilities in enterprise network management platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence on similar vulnerabilities in network management systems.