CVE-2019-5358 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-2019-5358 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 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's Intelligent Management Center suite, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application layer, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data through various API endpoints and web forms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malicious payload that leverages improper sanitization of user inputs in the IMC platform's web interface. Attackers can inject arbitrary commands through vulnerable parameters that are then executed within the context of the web server process. This flaw falls under CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, representing improper execution of code through command injection. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions within the network management environment. This command injection flaw allows for complete system compromise and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5358 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the compromised IMC platform. Network administrators who rely on this system for managing critical infrastructure components can face complete loss of control over their network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability can be exploited to install backdoors, modify network configurations, steal sensitive authentication credentials, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network perimeter. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the initial compromise to gain deeper access. The compromised system can serve as a persistent foothold for advanced persistent threats, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the enterprise network while evading detection mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to isolate the IMC platform, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in network management systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise network management platforms, as these systems often serve as central attack vectors for broader network compromises.