CVE-2020-7170 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A select 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-2020-7170 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07. This vulnerability resides within the select expression language processing functionality, which is commonly used for data retrieval and manipulation within enterprise network management systems. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious expressions that can be executed within the context of the iMC application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the expression parsing engine, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the system's query processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within the select expression language parser. When the iMC system processes user input through its expression evaluation mechanisms, it fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended execution flow. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious expressions that bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a fundamental level within the application's data processing pipeline, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring approaches. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code, which specifically addresses situations where user-supplied data can influence code generation or execution paths within applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7170 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges on the iMC platform, enabling them to access sensitive network management data, manipulate device configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network components. The attack surface is particularly large given that iMC systems are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they manage critical network infrastructure, making the compromise of such systems a significant threat to overall network security posture. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through legitimate system interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7170 should prioritize immediate patching of affected iMC systems to the recommended iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07 version or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to iMC systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these critical management platforms. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious expression language patterns, establishing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of network management systems. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to command execution attempts and unauthorized access patterns within their iMC environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in enterprise applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of data processing components within network management systems to prevent similar issues from emerging in other products.