CVE-2002-1408 in VVOS
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability or vulnerabilities in HP OpenView EMANATE 14.2 snmpModules allow the SNMP read-write community name to be exposed, related to (1) " read-only community access," and/or (2) an easily guessable community name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1408 affects HP OpenView EMANATE 14.2 snmpModules, representing a critical security flaw in network management software that has significant implications for enterprise infrastructure security. This issue specifically targets the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) implementation within the HP OpenView environment, where the software fails to properly protect sensitive community strings that serve as authentication mechanisms for network device access. The vulnerability manifests through two primary vectors that compound the security risk, creating multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to network management systems.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate protection mechanisms within the SNMP modules of HP OpenView EMANATE 14.2, where the read-write community name becomes exposed through various attack vectors. This exposure occurs due to weak community string management practices, including the use of easily guessable community names that follow predictable patterns or commonly used defaults. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to network management functions through what should be secure read-only community access, effectively undermining the fundamental security model of SNMP protocols. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and weak authentication mechanisms that violate security best practices outlined in various industry standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical network management functions that could lead to complete network compromise. Organizations running HP OpenView EMANATE 14.2 systems face significant risk of unauthorized network access, configuration changes, and potential data exfiltration through the exposed community strings. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-255 - Credentials Management Issues and CWE-310 - Cryptographic Issues, as it involves improper handling of authentication credentials and weak cryptographic practices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance, modify network configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the managed network environment.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1046 - Network Service Scanning and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as attackers can use the exposed community strings to identify and access network services without proper authorization. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise environments where HP OpenView is used for network monitoring and management, as it provides attackers with a direct pathway to manipulate network configurations and access sensitive network information. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to network devices, potential service disruption, and compromise of network integrity, making this vulnerability a high-priority security concern that requires immediate remediation.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate implementation of strong, non-guessable community strings that follow cryptographic best practices and industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for key management. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to SNMP-enabled devices, deploy proper access controls, and consider migrating to more secure SNMP versions that provide better authentication mechanisms. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in network management systems, with particular attention to legacy software implementations that may contain similar security flaws. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper credential management and access control in network management systems.