CVE-2001-1136 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
The libsecurity library in HP-UX 11.04 (VVOS) allows attackers to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1136 resides within the libsecurity library component of HP-UX 11.04 operating system version. This security flaw specifically targets the VVOS (Virtual Virtual Operating System) environment and represents a significant concern for system stability and availability. The libsecurity library serves as a foundational element for security operations within the HP-UX ecosystem, managing cryptographic functions and authentication mechanisms that are critical to system integrity. When exploited, this vulnerability can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt normal system operations through deliberate denial of service attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain security library functions that fail to properly validate input parameters or manage resource allocation during cryptographic operations. Attackers can craft specific malicious inputs or trigger sequences that cause the libsecurity library to enter an unstable state or consume excessive system resources. This flaw operates at a low-level system interface where security functions interact with core operating system components, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect fundamental system services that depend on proper authentication and encryption capabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-400 as "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" which directly relates to the denial of service impact.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1136 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire security posture of affected systems. When the libsecurity library becomes unstable or crashes, it affects all applications and services that rely on cryptographic functions for authentication, data encryption, and secure communications. This can lead to cascading failures where system administrators lose access to critical services, applications become unable to authenticate users, and encrypted data communications are disrupted. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where HP-UX 11.04 systems may host sensitive applications and data repositories that require robust security infrastructure to maintain operational continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from HP, as the flaw represents a known security weakness that has been documented for over two decades. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of security library processes to detect abnormal resource consumption patterns or crash events that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit potential attack vectors that could target the vulnerable library components. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running HP-UX 11.04 and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 as "Network Denial of Service" and T1566.001 as "Phishing" when considering how attackers might initially gain access to exploit such system weaknesses, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader attack surface considerations.