CVE-2018-7125 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-2018-7125 represents a critical remote code execution flaw discovered in HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of the IMC platform, which serves as a comprehensive network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates as a centralized management platform for HPE networking equipment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web application's file upload functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application user. This flaw directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of network management operations, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic file upload validation bypass mechanism that allows attackers to upload malicious files with executable code. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate file extensions and content types during the upload process, enabling attackers to submit files with dangerous extensions such as .jsp or .php that can be executed within the web server context. This weakness aligns with CWE-434, which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept files without proper validation, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, requiring minimal privileges to exploit and potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to the network management infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands remotely without requiring authentication, making it especially concerning for enterprise environments where network management systems are often centrally located and accessible from multiple network segments.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7125 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on HPE IMC for network management. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive network configuration data, monitor network traffic, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the network management platform, potentially causing service disruption while simultaneously providing attackers with a persistent backdoor into the enterprise network. Organizations using affected IMC versions face significant risk of data breaches, network infiltration, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The attack surface is particularly broad since IMC systems are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they are accessible from multiple locations and network segments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to establish long-term presence within organizations. This vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as pci dss and iso 27001, as it creates uncontrolled access points within critical network infrastructure management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7125 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network segmentation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes patches addressing the file upload validation bypass vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation to isolate the IMC management system from critical network segments can limit the potential impact of exploitation. Security controls should include disabling unnecessary file upload functionality, implementing strict file type validation, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts, while implementing network monitoring solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all instances of affected software, along with thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, ensuring rapid detection and response to any compromise attempts. Regular security assessments of network management systems are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities and maintain overall network security posture.