CVE-2019-5381 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-5381 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 its web interface, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of input parameters in the web application layer, specifically within the file upload and processing functionality that forms part of the IMC's management capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted malicious input that bypasses the application's security controls. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending specially crafted requests to the IMC server that trigger improper handling of user-supplied data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-74 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize input that could be interpreted as commands or code. This weakness allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the IMC application's privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5381 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to network infrastructure managed by HPE IMC. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of the platform, which typically operates with elevated privileges to manage network devices, making the compromise particularly dangerous. Once exploited, attackers can perform actions such as modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive data, installing backdoors, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as the exploitation typically involves leveraging legitimate administrative capabilities.
Organizations utilizing HPE IMC PLAT software must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to HPE IMC version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which includes patches addressing the input validation weaknesses. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the IMC platform, particularly restricting direct internet exposure of the management interface. Security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and access to the platform should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as outlined in NIST SP 800-40 guidelines for vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, as the attack may not be immediately apparent through standard security scanning tools.