CVE-2019-5346 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 • 06/20/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-5346 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 is widely deployed in enterprise network management environments for monitoring and controlling HPE networking equipment. The affected system serves as a central management hub for HPE hardware components including switches, routers, and wireless access points, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the IMC platform's web application components. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application user. This flaw specifically affects the way the platform processes certain parameters in API calls and web service requests, allowing for command injection attacks that can escalate to full system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection flaws respectively, which are fundamental weaknesses in software security architecture. The attack vector requires no prior authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network management systems are often accessible from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete network infrastructure compromise and persistent access for attackers. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to gain unauthorized access to network management functions, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, disable security controls, or establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IMC for network monitoring and management, including telecommunications providers, enterprise IT departments, and government agencies. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to execute commands and maintain access. The risk is amplified by the fact that IMC systems often contain sensitive network information and have broad network access permissions, making them attractive targets for both nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations.
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 command injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the IMC management interface, particularly from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may have been compromised through exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious network activity and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams must also review and update their incident response procedures to address potential compromise scenarios involving network management systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be enhanced to include comprehensive testing of web application security controls and input validation mechanisms.