CVE-2019-5364 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-2019-5364 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This issue stems from improper input validation within the web application component of the IMC platform, which is widely deployed for network management and monitoring purposes across enterprise environments. The vulnerability exists in the way the system processes user-supplied data in specific API endpoints, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected service account. Given that HPE IMC is commonly used in critical network infrastructure management roles, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on its functionality for maintaining their network operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-5364 occurs through crafted malicious input sent to vulnerable API interfaces within the IMC platform. Attackers can leverage this flaw by submitting specially crafted payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and manipulate the application's processing logic. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection issue under CWE-77, where user-controllable input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication for exploitation, making it a true remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged from outside the network perimeter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple system compromise, as HPE IMC serves as a central management platform for network infrastructure components including switches, routers, and wireless access points. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the entire network management system, potentially allowing them to manipulate network configurations, intercept traffic, or disable security controls. Organizations using older IMC versions face the risk of complete network infrastructure takeover, with attackers able to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive configuration data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for lateral movement throughout the enterprise network. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that many organizations may not have proper network segmentation or monitoring in place to detect such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5364 require immediate action to upgrade affected systems to HPE IMC 7.3 E0506P09 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to IMC management interfaces, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious API traffic patterns, and enforce strict access controls through multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, network administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their IMC deployments, review system logs for potential exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address remote code execution vulnerabilities in network management systems. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in the future.