CVE-2019-5342 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-2019-5342 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 platform's handling of user input and authentication mechanisms, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on HPE IMC for network management operations. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network infrastructure management is centralized.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the IMC platform's web interface components. Specifically, the flaw manifests when processing certain parameters in HTTP requests, particularly those related to user authentication and system configuration operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass normal authentication procedures and directly manipulate system processes. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, involving legitimate credentials and command execution through web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5342 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor installation. Organizations using affected IMC versions face potential data breaches, network infiltration, and disruption of critical network management services. The vulnerability affects the platform's ability to maintain secure authentication boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive network configuration data. Network administrators who rely on IMC for managing network devices, monitoring traffic, and maintaining security policies face increased risk of unauthorized network modifications and service disruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5342 require immediate action including upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to IMC management interfaces and deploy additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous authentication patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate patching, as attackers can exploit it from external networks without requiring physical access to the target environment. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting thorough network audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patch deployment.