CVE-2019-5376 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-2019-5376 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 IMC platform, which serves as a centralized network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates by providing administrators with web-based access to manage network infrastructure components including switches, routers, and other network devices through a unified console interface. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's processing of user-supplied data in specific API endpoints, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected service account.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable IMC web interface, specifically targeting parameters that control system operations and configuration changes. The flaw manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability where user input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially gaining full administrative control over the IMC platform. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-77: Command Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software applications where untrusted data is used to construct command strings that are executed by the system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting Windows Command Prompt execution paths within enterprise network management systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5376 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the IMC platform which serves as a central management point for enterprise networks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate network configurations, view sensitive network data, and potentially use the compromised IMC system as a launch point for lateral movement within the enterprise network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HPE IMC for network monitoring and management, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to unauthorized access and modification. The attack surface is particularly concerning because IMC systems are often deployed in enterprise environments where they maintain administrative privileges over network devices, making the compromise of such systems a severe security incident. Organizations using older versions of the software may experience unauthorized network configuration changes, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5376 primarily focus on immediate software updates to version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes patches addressing the input validation issues. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the IMC platform to authorized personnel only, utilizing firewalls and access control lists to restrict external exposure. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the IMC service account operates with minimal necessary permissions. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter incoming requests, enabling detailed logging and monitoring of system activities, and conducting regular security assessments of the network management infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices to prevent command injection attacks in enterprise management platforms.