CVE-2019-5380 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-2019-5380 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) PLAT software versions prior to 7.3 E0506P09. This issue affects the platform's handling of user input within specific administrative functions, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute harmful commands within the target environment. Organizations relying on IMC for network management and monitoring face significant operational risks due to the potential for complete system compromise through this remote exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic input sanitization failure where user-provided parameters are directly processed without adequate validation or filtering. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that bypass normal security checks and are subsequently interpreted as executable commands by the underlying system processes. This flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely by unauthorized users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, allowing attackers to gain persistent access, escalate privileges, and move laterally within network environments. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational implications of CVE-2019-5380 are severe for organizations using affected IMC versions, as the vulnerability can lead to complete system takeover and data exfiltration. Network administrators managing critical infrastructure through IMC platforms face potential exposure to sophisticated attack campaigns where threat actors can establish persistent backdoors, modify network configurations, or access sensitive operational data. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but can also serve as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration, particularly in environments where IMC serves as a central management point for multiple network devices. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial impact from potential data breaches. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and increases the probability of widespread compromise across organizations with unpatched systems.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2019-5380. The primary remediation involves upgrading affected IMC PLAT installations to version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes patched input validation mechanisms and improved command execution controls. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to IMC management interfaces, limiting potential attack vectors and reducing the blast radius of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to management interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, deploying intrusion detection systems, and establishing strict access controls for administrative accounts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation issues within other network management systems. The mitigation approach should align with industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management and layered security controls to prevent exploitation of command injection vulnerabilities.