CVE-2020-7174 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A soapconfigcontent 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-2020-7174 represents a critical security flaw in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) platforms that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a SOAP configuration content expression language injection vector. This vulnerability specifically affects iMC versions prior to PLAT 7.3 E0705P07, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on older versions of this network management software. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the SOAP configuration content handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary expression language commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SOAP configuration content parameters that are processed without adequate sanitization or validation. When the iMC platform processes incoming SOAP requests containing specially crafted expression language payloads, it fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed within the context of the application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically relates to expression language injection attacks that bypass traditional input validation measures. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the iMC service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7174 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. Organizations using affected iMC versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network management infrastructure, which could result in data exfiltration, service disruption, or complete network compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their iMC platforms to external networks or the internet. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as the exploitation often involves PowerShell-based command execution and lateral movement within compromised environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07 or later versions, which contain patches addressing the expression language injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of iMC platforms to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious SOAP request patterns. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary SOAP services and implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in security architecture, as proper sanitization of expression language inputs would prevent this class of injection attacks from succeeding.