CVE-2020-7195 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2020
A iccselectrules 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 CVE-2020-7195 vulnerability 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 vulnerability resides in the iccselectrules component which processes user input through an expression language interpreter, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows remote adversaries to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before processing it through the expression language engine. This vulnerability directly 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: PowerShell," as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious commands through the expression language interpreter. The affected iMC platform serves as a central management solution for network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with administrative access to critical network management functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the iccselectrules expression language processing functionality, bypassing normal input validation controls. The expression language interpreter processes this malformed input without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary commands that execute within the context of the iMC application. This remote code execution capability enables adversaries to gain full control over the affected iMC server, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network management data, modification of network configurations, or use of the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows for privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, making it a particularly attractive target for sophisticated attackers who seek long-term access to network management systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive configuration data, or disrupt network operations by manipulating management policies and rules.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7195 is severe for organizations relying on HPE iMC for network management, as the vulnerability provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities without requiring authentication for the initial exploitation phase. Organizations utilizing affected iMC versions face significant risk of data breaches, network disruption, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure, as the compromised management platform serves as a central point of control for network operations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. Security teams must consider the potential for widespread impact across multiple network segments, as iMC platforms often serve as central management points for large enterprise networks, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to critical network infrastructure and operational data. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements for organizations that must maintain secure network management practices and protect against unauthorized access to critical infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches for iMC PLAT 7.3 E0705P07 or higher versions that address the expression language injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of iMC management interfaces to untrusted networks, while implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to necessary management ports and services. Regular monitoring and logging of iMC system activities should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual expression language processing activities or unexpected command executions. Security teams should also consider implementing network detection capabilities that can identify malicious expression language patterns and anomalous behavior in management system communications. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected iMC versions within their network infrastructure and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The mitigation approach should align with industry best practices for managing critical vulnerabilities and should include regular security updates, proper access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent successful exploitation attempts.