CVE-2019-5349 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 • 06/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5349 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the IMC platform, which serves as a centralized management solution for HPE networking equipment and infrastructure components. The affected system operates as a comprehensive network management platform that handles configuration, monitoring, and administrative functions across enterprise networks, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the IMC platform's web interface, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data through the web-based administration portal. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. The flaw allows for arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the web application user, which typically operates with elevated permissions within the network management environment. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which represents "Improper Input Validation," a fundamental weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious code through improperly validated user inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5349 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected IMC platform. Once exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to full network compromise. The vulnerability affects the platform's ability to maintain secure network operations, as the IMC system serves as a critical management interface for enterprise networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to network configuration data, modify device settings, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against other network components. This threat is particularly concerning given that IMC platforms often maintain access to sensitive network information and configuration data across multiple network segments.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for HPE IMC PLAT versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the IMC platform to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers can execute commands through the compromised system. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1078, "Valid Accounts," as exploitation often requires authentication bypass or credential compromise within the management interface. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions of IMC software and ensure all network management interfaces are properly secured and monitored for suspicious activities. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to critical management systems.