CVE-2019-5359 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 in CVE-2019-5359 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT platforms running versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This security weakness resides in the platform's handling of specific input parameters that are processed by the underlying web application framework, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication or physical access. The flaw specifically affects the web interface component of the IMC platform, which is designed to manage network infrastructure components including switches, routers, and other network devices through a centralized console.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the platform's web services, particularly in how the system processes user-supplied parameters that are subsequently used in server-side operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that include specially formatted payloads designed to bypass existing security controls. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or validate data passed through the web interface, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This type of flaw typically maps to CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which address improper input validation and code execution vulnerabilities respectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected IMC platform. This includes the ability to install malicious software, modify or delete system files, access sensitive network configuration data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other network segments. Network administrators who rely on IMC for managing critical infrastructure components face significant risk, as the platform often serves as a central management hub for enterprise networks. The vulnerability can result in data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where network management systems contain sensitive operational data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to HPE IMC version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains patches addressing the input validation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the IMC platform's web interface, limiting exposure to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious HTTP requests or unusual patterns of access that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network management infrastructure and consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation indicators. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers may leverage the platform to execute commands and escalate their privileges within the network environment.