CVE-2019-11953 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-2019-11953 represents a critical remote code execution flaw discovered in HPE Intelligent Management Center IMC PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of the IMC platform, which serves as a comprehensive network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system provides centralized management capabilities for various network devices including switches, routers, and security appliances, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise large-scale network infrastructures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web application layer of the IMC platform. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending specially crafted malicious requests to the affected web server, which then processes these inputs without adequate sanitization or validation. This processing error allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application user, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms, making it susceptible to manipulation by malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-11953 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected IMC platform and potentially the entire network infrastructure it manages. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network perimeter. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IMC for network monitoring, configuration management, and device provisioning, potentially exposing critical network assets to unauthorized access and manipulation. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-77 command injection category, which specifically addresses vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into command execution contexts without proper validation or sanitization.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the IMC management interface, limiting exposure to trusted network segments only. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity related to the affected system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for remote code execution, with potential subsequent techniques including privilege escalation and lateral movement within the compromised network environment. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address remote code execution vulnerabilities in network management platforms.