CVE-2020-7157 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A selviewnavcontent expression language injection remote code execution vulnerability was discovered in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) version(s): Prior to iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-7157 represents a critical expression language injection flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center iMC platform versions prior to PLAT 7.3 E0705P07. This vulnerability resides in the selviewnavcontent component which processes user input through an expression language evaluation mechanism. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system by manipulating input parameters that are subsequently processed through the expression language interpreter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the navigation content handling functionality, creating a pathway for malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than benign data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, specifically indicating that the application fails to properly control the generation or execution of code based on user-supplied input. The expression language injection occurs when user-controllable data flows into the selviewnavcontent processing logic without adequate sanitization or validation. This creates a condition where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted by the expression language engine as commands to be executed within the application context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected iMC platform. This provides adversaries with the ability to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of HPE Intelligent Management Center, which typically handles network management, monitoring, and configuration tasks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise network infrastructure management systems, potentially affecting multiple network devices under management, and could lead to widespread system compromise within the organization's network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2020-7157 should immediately implement the remediation measures provided by HPE in their security advisory for iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07 and subsequent releases. The vulnerability can be mitigated through proper input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent user input from being interpreted as executable code. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces. Additionally, organizations should monitor for suspicious network activity and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and patch management, as well as the need for robust input validation in web applications processing user-supplied data through expression language or similar mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Unix shell and T1059.008 for PowerShell execution techniques, indicating the potential for command and control operations once the initial exploitation is successful.