CVE-2000-1126 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in auto_parms and set_parms in HP-UX 11.00 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands or cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1126 represents a critical security flaw affecting HP-UX operating systems version 11.00 and earlier. This issue resides within the auto_parms and set_parms components of the system, which are responsible for handling parameter processing and system configuration management. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within these administrative functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system remotely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through buffer overflow conditions and command injection opportunities within the auto_parms and set_parms functions. When these components process incoming parameters without proper sanitization, attackers can craft specially formatted input that overflows memory buffers or executes unintended system commands. The flaw operates at the system level where administrative functions are accessible over network connections, making it particularly dangerous as it allows remote exploitation without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category and aligns with ATT&CK techniques focusing on command execution and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1126 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to gain full control over affected HP-UX systems. Remote command execution capabilities allow threat actors to install backdoors, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised environment. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can be leveraged to disrupt critical business operations by causing system crashes or rendering administrative functions unavailable. Organizations running HP-UX 11.00 or earlier versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected systems, making it particularly attractive to automated attack tools and opportunistic hackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from HP to address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the auto_parms and set_parms functions. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions and apply firewall rules to restrict connections to affected services. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict input validation at all system interfaces, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current system patches and following security best practices for system administration functions, as the flaw existed in widely deployed versions of HP-UX and required immediate attention from organizations worldwide. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential system compromise.