CVE-2019-11957 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-11957 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 console for HPE networking equipment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise large-scale network infrastructures. The vulnerability specifically impacts the platform's handling of user input within certain administrative functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote code execution that could fundamentally compromise the entire network management ecosystem.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the IMC platform's web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw typically manifests through HTTP parameters or form inputs that are not properly sanitized before processing, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code execution flaws that enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network management systems serve as critical infrastructure components.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-11957 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete control over the IMC platform and potentially the entire managed network infrastructure. Organizations using vulnerable versions of IMC face risks including data exfiltration, network monitoring and manipulation, lateral movement within the enterprise network, and potential disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate IMC platform but can also compromise connected network devices that rely on the IMC for management and configuration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify network configurations, or redirect traffic through compromised devices, creating a significant attack surface for advanced persistent threats. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation requires no special privileges and can be executed through legitimate management interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the IMC platform from untrusted networks, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and least privilege access controls for IMC administrative accounts provides defense-in-depth protection against potential exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the network management infrastructure, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility with existing network management workflows and configurations.