CVE-2020-7166
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) systems by injecting malicious expressions into the operatorgrouptreeselectcontent parameter. Attackers can gain full control of affected systems without authentication. Organizations running iMC PLAT versions before 7.3 (E0705P07) are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, pivot to other network resources, and maintain persistent access.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential ransomware deployment on the iMC server.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, web application firewalls, and strict access controls prevent exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is in an expression language injection, making exploitation straightforward with publicly available proof-of-concept code.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07) or later
Vendor Advisory: https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbnw04036en_us
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the patch from HPE Support Center. 2. Backup your iMC configuration and database. 3. Apply the patch following HPE's installation guide. 4. Restart the iMC services. 5. Verify the patch was successfully applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Restriction
allRestrict network access to iMC management interface to trusted IP addresses only
# Example firewall rule (Linux iptables): iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s trusted_ip_range -j ACCEPT
# Example firewall rule (Windows): New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Restrict iMC Access" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 8080 -Protocol TCP -RemoteAddress trusted_ip_range -Action Allow
Web Application Firewall
allDeploy a WAF with rules to block expression language injection patterns
# ModSecurity rule example: SecRule ARGS:operatorgrouptreeselectcontent "@rx \$\{.*\}" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,msg:'Expression Language Injection Attempt'"
# Add to WAF configuration to block malicious payloads
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately isolate the iMC server from internet access and restrict internal access to only necessary administrative networks
- Implement strict network monitoring and intrusion detection for any traffic to the iMC management interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the iMC version via the web interface (Help → About) or by examining the installation directory version files. If version is earlier than PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07), the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
# On Windows: type "C:\Program Files\iMC\client\bin\imcversion.txt"
# On Linux: cat /opt/iMC/client/bin/imcversion.txtVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify the version shows PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07) or later. Test the operatorgrouptreeselectcontent parameter with safe test payloads to confirm injection is no longer possible.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to iMC endpoints containing expression language syntax (${...})
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful exploitation patterns
- Unexpected process creation or system command execution from iMC service account
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious expression language payloads in operatorgrouptreeselectcontent parameter
- Outbound connections from iMC server to unexpected external IP addresses
- Unusual traffic patterns to iMC management ports (typically 8080, 8443)
SIEM Query:
source="iMC_logs" AND (http_uri="*operatorgrouptreeselectcontent*" AND http_body="*${*}") OR (process_name="cmd.exe" OR process_name="/bin/sh") AND parent_process="iMC_service"