CVE-2019-5377 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-2019-5377 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This issue resides in the web-based management interface of the IMC platform, which serves as a centralized tool for network management and monitoring across enterprise environments. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the platform's web services, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the web application's request processing pipeline, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and gain system-level access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that manipulate the application's internal processing logic to execute malicious commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload and execute arbitrary code, effectively taking complete control of the affected IMC server. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that IMC platforms typically operate in sensitive network environments where they manage critical infrastructure components including switches, routers, and network security devices. This allows attackers to potentially compromise the entire network management ecosystem and gain visibility into network traffic patterns, device configurations, and security policies. The flaw is classified under CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute system commands directly through the vulnerable interface.
Organizations running affected versions of HPE IMC PLAT face significant operational risks including complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network management systems are exposed to external networks. Security teams must consider the broader implications of such a compromise, as the IMC platform often serves as a central hub for network operations, making it an attractive target for persistent threat actors. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to network device configurations, modification of network policies, and potential disruption of critical network services. Additionally, the compromised system may serve as a launching point for further attacks against other network segments, potentially leading to widespread security breaches across the enterprise infrastructure.
Immediate mitigation strategies should focus on applying the vendor-provided patches and updates to upgrade to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the IMC management interface and restrict external exposure where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous requests to the web interface and unusual system activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing additional authentication controls and access restrictions, including multi-factor authentication and strict firewall rules limiting access to the management interface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of critical network management systems to prevent similar incidents. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of potential exploitation attempts. Given the severity of remote code execution vulnerabilities in management platforms, continuous monitoring and proactive security measures are essential to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that may target these critical infrastructure components.