CVE-2020-7175 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A iccselectdymicparam 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-2020-7175 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 iccselectdymicparam expression language component, which processes user-supplied input through dynamic parameter selection mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious expression language code that gets executed within the context of the iMC application, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the dynamic parameter processing pipeline, creating an exploitable path for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-provided parameters that are processed through an expression language evaluation engine. When legitimate users submit requests containing dynamic parameters, the system fails to adequately sanitize these inputs before passing them to the expression language interpreter. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the expression language syntax to execute system commands, bypassing normal access controls and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the iccselectdymicparam functionality, which is designed to dynamically select and process parameters based on user input, but lacks proper security controls to prevent code injection attacks.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing affected HPE iMC platforms, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network management infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iMC service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of network management operations. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise, as iMC platforms typically serve as central management points for enterprise networks, making successful exploitation a significant threat to overall network security posture. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any network location without requiring physical access to the target system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07) or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to iMC management interfaces, limiting exposure to untrusted networks. Input validation controls should be strengthened at all user-facing interfaces to prevent malicious parameter injection. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns in parameter usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the critical nature of this vulnerability in modern cybersecurity threat landscapes.