CVE-2020-7176 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A viewtaskresultdetailfact 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-2020-7176 represents a critical expression language injection flaw within HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07. This issue resides in the viewtaskresultdetailfact component, which processes user-supplied input through an expression language evaluation mechanism. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system by manipulating input parameters that are subsequently processed through an insecure expression language interpreter. Such flaws typically arise when applications fail to properly sanitize user input before processing it through dynamic evaluation engines, creating pathways for malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the viewtaskresultdetailfact functionality, where attacker-controlled data is passed through an expression language parser without adequate input validation or sanitization. This allows adversaries to inject malicious expressions that can be evaluated by the application's runtime environment, potentially executing arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of insecure expression language processing that has been documented in numerous enterprise applications. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthorized parties from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established within the target environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network management data, potentially affecting network infrastructure monitoring, device management, and configuration data within the iMC platform. Organizations utilizing affected versions of HPE iMC face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network management systems, which could lead to broader network compromise and disruption of critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations may experience complete loss of control over affected systems without proper network segmentation or access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7176 primarily focus on immediate remediation through official HPE patches and updates, as well as implementing network-level controls to restrict access to iMC services. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of iMC services to trusted networks only, while also monitoring for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the broader network management infrastructure.