CVE-2002-0350 in Procurve Switch 4000M
Summary
by MITRE
HP Procurve Switch 4000M running firmware C.08.22 and C.09.09 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a port scan of the management IP address, which disables the telnet service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0350 affects HP Procurve Switch 4000M devices operating with specific firmware versions C.08.22 and C.09.09, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against network infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the switch's management interface handling, where routine network scanning activities can trigger unintended service disruptions. The flaw specifically targets the telnet service management functionality, which serves as a primary administrative access point for network administrators to configure and monitor switch operations. When attackers perform port scans against the management IP address of affected switches, the system responds inappropriately by disabling the telnet service, effectively cutting off legitimate administrative access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the switch's firmware management subsystem. Network scanning activities, particularly those involving port enumeration, trigger a cascade of system responses that ultimately result in service termination rather than proper access control or security enforcement. This represents a fundamental flaw in the device's defensive mechanisms, where legitimate network reconnaissance activities are misinterpreted as malicious attempts requiring service termination. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically affecting TCP port handling and service availability within the switch's management interface. The flaw can be exploited through standard network scanning tools that perform port discovery operations against the switch's management IP address, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal specialized knowledge to execute successfully.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0350 extends beyond simple service disruption, creating cascading effects within network infrastructure management. When the telnet service becomes unavailable, network administrators lose critical remote access capabilities necessary for routine maintenance, configuration changes, and troubleshooting activities. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise networks where centralized management of multiple switches is common, as the disruption of administrative access can lead to extended downtime for network operations. The denial of service condition renders the affected switch effectively unusable for its intended management functions until manual intervention occurs to restore the telnet service. Organizations relying on HP Procurve Switch 4000M devices for network infrastructure management face potential business continuity impacts, as network administrators cannot remotely access these devices to address issues or implement configuration changes. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their activities, as the temporary loss of management access may prompt administrators to use alternative, potentially less secure methods to regain control of affected devices.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from general network scanning activities, deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious scanning patterns, and implementation of access control lists that restrict port scan activities targeting management addresses. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and represents a specific instance of inadequate error handling within network device management protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and T1071.004, "Application Layer Protocol: DNS," as attackers may use DNS enumeration as part of their scanning activities to identify vulnerable targets. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics consistent with T1566.002, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as attackers may use the denial of service condition to create opportunities for further exploitation. Network administrators should consider implementing redundant management access methods, such as console access or alternative management protocols, to ensure continued operational capability during service disruptions. Firmware updates from HP should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, as the affected firmware versions contain known flaws in their network service management implementations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper service isolation and robust error handling in network infrastructure devices, particularly those handling administrative access functions that are critical to network operations.