CVE-2018-7124 in Intelligent Management Center PLAT
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability was identified in HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT earlier than version 7.3 E0506P09.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-7124 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of the IMC platform, which serves as a centralized network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates by providing administrators with web-based access to manage various network devices including switches, routers, and security appliances through a unified dashboard interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's processing of user-supplied data, particularly in the handling of HTTP parameters and request objects that are processed through the web application layer. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application user, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The impact is particularly severe given that IMC platforms are commonly deployed in enterprise network environments where they maintain access to critical network infrastructure and sensitive operational data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, representing exploitation for privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-7124 occurs through crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the application's parameter handling mechanisms to inject malicious code into the system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the IMC web interface, which then processes these inputs without proper sanitization, leading to code injection and subsequent arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests in the way the application handles certain HTTP parameters that are intended for legitimate administrative functions, but can be manipulated to bypass security controls. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system over the network. The web application layer in IMC typically processes these requests through a series of internal functions that may not properly validate or sanitize user inputs before using them in system operations. The exploitation chain involves crafting malicious payloads that can bypass the application's built-in security mechanisms and ultimately result in remote code execution on the target server. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows attackers to gain persistent access to the network management infrastructure, potentially enabling further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the enterprise network.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7124 is extensive and potentially catastrophic for enterprise environments relying on HPE IMC for network management. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the network management platform, providing attackers with unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure management functions. Organizations using affected versions of IMC may experience unauthorized access to network device configurations, monitoring data, and administrative controls, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate network traffic, disable security controls, or conduct further attacks against other network segments. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor within the network management infrastructure, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access and control over the monitored network environment. This compromise can significantly impact network availability, integrity, and confidentiality, as the attacker gains the ability to modify network configurations, monitor traffic, and potentially disrupt critical network services. The vulnerability also poses risks to network security posture, as it enables attackers to gain visibility into network operations and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire network management system. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties due to the exposure of sensitive network management data and the potential for unauthorized network access. The impact is compounded by the fact that IMC systems are often deployed in mission-critical environments where network management availability and security are paramount to business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7124 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of vendor patches and updates to HPE IMC PLAT versions 7.3 E0506P09 or later. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate the affected IMC systems from critical network infrastructure and limit access to only authorized administrative users. Network access controls should be configured to restrict external access to the IMC web interface, requiring authentication through secure channels such as VPN connections. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including monitoring for malformed HTTP requests and unusual access patterns to the web interface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the network environment. System hardening measures should be implemented including disabling unnecessary services, applying least privilege principles to web application accounts, and ensuring that the web application runs with minimal required privileges. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing web application vulnerabilities and maintain up-to-date backups to facilitate rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training should be conducted for network administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that may accompany exploitation efforts targeting the IMC platform. Continuous monitoring of HPE security advisories and vulnerability notifications is essential to maintain awareness of related threats and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.