CVE-2019-5367 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-2019-5367 represents a critical remote code execution flaw discovered in HPE Intelligent Management Center IMC PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of the HPE IMC platform, which is widely deployed across enterprise networks for centralized management of HPE networking equipment, servers, and storage devices. The affected system serves as a cornerstone for network operations centers and enterprise IT infrastructure management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on HPE IMC for their operational technology environments.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation within the web application's file upload functionality, specifically in how the system handles certain file types and their associated metadata. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious files that bypass the intended validation mechanisms, allowing them to upload arbitrary code to the target system. This vulnerability is classified as a CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application. The flaw enables attackers to execute code with the privileges of the web application, typically running as a privileged user account within the target environment, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5367 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to enterprise networks through the compromised IMC platform. Organizations using HPE IMC for network monitoring and management face significant risks including data exfiltration, lateral movement within their network infrastructure, and potential disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but also creates opportunities for attackers to establish backdoors, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. This threat is particularly severe in environments where HPE IMC serves as a central management point for multiple network domains, as a successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to the entire enterprise network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including patching to the latest supported version of HPE IMC PLAT, specifically version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which addresses the input validation issues that enable this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around the IMC management interface to limit exposure to untrusted networks, while implementing strict firewall rules to restrict access to only necessary administrative personnel. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious file upload activities, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of the management infrastructure. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current software inventory and patch management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting other enterprise management platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address compromised management systems.