CVE-2020-7161 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A reporttaskselect 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-2020-7161 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) platform versions prior to PLAT 7.3 E0705P07. This issue stems from improper input validation within the reporttaskselect expression language component, which allows attackers to inject malicious expressions that can be executed within the application's processing environment. The vulnerability affects the centralized network management system used by enterprises for monitoring and managing their IT infrastructure, making it a high-value target for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to corporate networks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of report task selection parameters that utilize expression language processing. When the iMC platform processes user-supplied expressions in report generation tasks, it fails to adequately sanitize input before evaluating these expressions, creating an injection vector that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be triggered remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior access to the system to exploit. The vulnerability maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python," indicating potential execution of malicious payloads through interpreted languages within the application environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7161 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network management data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate network configuration details, manipulate monitoring data, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network perimeter. Organizations using affected iMC versions face significant risk of data breaches and network infiltration, particularly since the platform typically operates with elevated privileges and has access to critical network infrastructure information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network boundary, potentially compromising organizations with exposed management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7161 focus primarily on immediate patching of affected iMC platforms to version 7.3 or later, which includes the necessary input validation fixes to prevent expression language injection. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to iMC management interfaces, particularly restricting direct internet exposure of these systems. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual report task execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to the platform. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive network audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all management interfaces are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should include verification of patch integrity and confirmation that no unauthorized modifications have occurred in the system configuration since the vulnerability was first discovered.