CVE-2000-0558 in Openview Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in HP Openview Network Node Manager 6.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the Alarm service (OVALARMSRV) on port 2345.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0558 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within HP Openview Network Node Manager version 6.1 specifically affecting the Alarm service component known as OVALARMSRV. This security weakness resides in the network daemon that handles alarm notifications and system events, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The vulnerability manifests when the service processes incoming data on TCP port 2345, which is the default listening port for the alarm service component. The buffer overflow occurs during the handling of malformed or excessively long input data sent to this service, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
This particular flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software security that allows attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability operates through a classic stack-based buffer overflow mechanism where insufficient bounds checking occurs on user-supplied input. When an attacker sends specially crafted data to port 2345, the service fails to properly validate the length of incoming data, allowing the buffer to overflow into adjacent memory regions. This condition can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the affected service process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. Since the affected service typically runs with elevated privileges, successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to the entire network management infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network management systems are often exposed to external networks. The vulnerability also poses risks to network monitoring and security operations since the compromised system could be used to hide malicious activities or disrupt legitimate network operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to remote code execution and privilege escalation. The attack vector maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) where attackers leverage known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the affected service from untrusted networks, firewall rules to restrict access to port 2345, and application-level restrictions to limit the exposure of the vulnerable component. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, emphasizing the need for defensive programming practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions in network services. The incident also highlights the critical importance of timely patch management and vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy network management systems.