CVE-2019-5384 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-2019-5384 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 various network devices and services through a unified console. The vulnerability specifically impacts the platform's handling of user-supplied input within its web application components, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the IMC PLAT web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands without requiring valid credentials, effectively providing complete system compromise. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-77 and CWE-94, representing improper input validation and code injection weaknesses respectively. The attack vector operates through the web application layer, where user-provided data is not adequately sanitized before being processed by the backend system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the Windows command shell through the web interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5384 is severe for organizations utilizing affected IMC versions, as it provides attackers with complete system control over the management platform. Once exploited, attackers can access sensitive network configuration data, manipulate device settings, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other network segments. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the IMC platform, which typically manages critical network infrastructure components including switches, routers, firewalls, and various network monitoring devices. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to their entire network management ecosystem, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruptions, and compromise of network security policies. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5384 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network security measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to HPE IMC PLAT version 7.3 E0506P09 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the IMC management platform from critical network segments, reducing the attack surface. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious traffic targeting the web interface, enabling strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current software patches and implementing robust input validation practices across all web applications to prevent similar code injection vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity.