CVE-2019-5378 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-2019-5378 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 comprehensive network management solution for enterprise environments. The affected system operates as a centralized management hub for HPE networking equipment, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise large-scale network infrastructures. The vulnerability specifically impacts the platform's handling of user-supplied input within its web application components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on IMC for their network management operations, as it allows unauthorized remote access to the underlying system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the IMC platform's web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass normal input sanitization processes, ultimately leading to code injection attacks. The flaw manifests when the system processes user-provided parameters without adequate validation, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed as legitimate system commands. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes "Escape Analysis" or "Code Injection" weaknesses where untrusted data is used to construct code or commands without proper validation. The attack vector typically involves sending crafted HTTP requests to specific endpoints within the IMC web application, where the vulnerable code path processes the malicious input and executes it within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5378 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected IMC platform. Once exploited, adversaries can gain access to sensitive network configuration data, manipulate device settings, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's implications are particularly severe given that IMC systems typically manage critical network components such as switches, routers, and wireless access points, making the compromise of such systems a significant threat to overall network security. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to network monitoring data, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to disrupt network operations through configuration changes. This vulnerability also poses risks to compliance requirements, as it could enable attackers to bypass security controls and access sensitive information that should remain protected. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that IMC systems are often deployed in enterprise environments where they have access to multiple network segments and may be connected to critical business systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5378 focus primarily on immediate software updates and network-level protections. Organizations should prioritize upgrading their IMC PLAT systems to version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation weaknesses. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the IMC management interface, restricting connections to trusted administrative workstations only. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network scans to identify all instances of affected IMC systems and ensure proper access controls are in place. According to ATT&CK framework reference T1059.007, this vulnerability enables command and script injection techniques that attackers can use to establish persistence and escalate privileges within compromised environments. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the IMC platform, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems that may present comparable risks to the organization's overall security posture.