CVE-2019-5350 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 CVE-2019-5350 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-based management interface, specifically affecting the platform's handling of user-supplied data in HTTP request parameters. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network infrastructure management functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic command injection attack vector where malicious input is not properly sanitized before being processed by the application's backend components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that include malicious payloads designed to manipulate the application's command execution pathways. The flaw occurs in the parameter processing logic where user input is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate validation or sanitization measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, representing command injection and code injection weaknesses respectively, which are categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5350 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations utilizing affected HPE IMC versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to critical network management functions, data exfiltration, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the core management capabilities of HPE IMC, which typically manages network devices, security policies, and infrastructure monitoring functions, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring valid credentials, amplifying the potential impact across enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5350 require immediate patch deployment to upgrade affected HPE IMC installations to version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the IMC management systems from critical network infrastructure, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential lateral movement. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP requests, disabling unnecessary services and ports, and conducting regular security assessments of the management infrastructure. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous behavior in network management systems and implement principle of least privilege access controls for administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation practices as outlined in industry security frameworks and standards.