CVE-2001-1123 in Openview Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in Network Node Manager (NNM) 6.2 and earlier in HP OpenView allows a local user to execute arbitrary code, possibly via a buffer overflow in a long hostname or object ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1123 resides within HP OpenView's Network Node Manager version 6.2 and earlier implementations, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation through arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of network identifiers and hostnames within the OpenView framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges. The issue manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize or limit the length of hostname and object ID parameters processed by the NNM service.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic buffer overflow condition that arises when the system processes excessively long hostname or object ID strings. When a local user provides input exceeding the allocated buffer space, memory corruption ensues, potentially allowing the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and execute malicious code with the privileges of the NNM process. This buffer overflow represents a CWE-121 buffer overflow vulnerability, specifically categorized under CWE-125, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw operates at the application layer where network management protocols interact with the operating system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network monitoring systems typically run with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1123 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides a potential foothold for broader network compromise. Network Node Manager systems often serve as critical infrastructure components within enterprise environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access. The vulnerability's local execution requirement means that an attacker must first obtain legitimate user credentials, but once achieved, the privilege escalation capability significantly increases the potential damage. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation', and T1059, covering 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as the executed code could leverage various system commands and scripting capabilities. Organizations utilizing affected OpenView versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access to their network monitoring infrastructure, potentially compromising the integrity of their entire network visibility systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1123 should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenView installations through HP's official security updates. System administrators must implement strict input validation controls and enforce reasonable limits on hostname and object ID length parameters within the NNM configuration. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enhanced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns and unauthorized local access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized code within the NNM environment, while maintaining comprehensive audit logging to track all access and modification activities related to network management components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in enterprise network management systems, highlighting the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues in future deployments.