CVE-2019-11955 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-2019-11955 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This issue stems from improper input validation within the web application interface that processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in the platform's handling of specific HTTP parameters that are processed during the authentication and administrative functions of the system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass normal authentication procedures and directly execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The flaw particularly affects the web server component that manages administrative tasks and user sessions, creating an attack surface where unauthenticated remote actors can gain system-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic command injection vector within the application's parameter processing logic. When the system receives certain HTTP requests containing specially crafted input strings, it fails to properly validate or escape these parameters before using them in system calls or shell commands. This behavior aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into command execution contexts. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because the attack can be performed from any network location without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication credentials. The exploitation process typically involves sending malformed HTTP requests that contain shell metacharacters or command sequences that get interpreted by the underlying operating system, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application service account.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-11955 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges to system administrator levels, exfiltrate sensitive configuration data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for lateral movement within network environments. The affected HPE IMC platform serves as a central management system for network infrastructure, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain control over critical network assets. This vulnerability directly maps to several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to remote code execution and privilege escalation. The attack surface is further exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability affects the web interface, meaning that even network-based attacks can be executed from external locations without requiring direct network access to the system.
Organizations using affected HPE IMC versions should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official HPE patches and updates released for versions 7.3 E0506P09 and later, which contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate and sanitize all user input. Network segmentation and firewall rule configurations should be implemented to restrict access to the IMC platform's web interface, limiting exposure to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual HTTP request patterns or command execution signatures. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify any potential post-exploitation activities and ensure that all administrative accounts maintain strong authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should include verification procedures to confirm that the patch has been successfully applied and that no unauthorized changes have been made to the system configuration.