CVE-2003-1494 in Openview Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (NNM) 6.2 and 6.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a crafted TCP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1494 represents a significant security flaw within Hewlett Packard's OpenView Network Node Manager versions 6.2 and 6.4. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to induce a denial of service condition through carefully constructed TCP packets. The affected system operates within enterprise network management environments where continuous availability of monitoring services is critical for operational integrity. Network Node Manager serves as a comprehensive solution for managing and monitoring network infrastructure, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to disrupt business operations through service degradation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of TCP packets by the NNM software, specifically within the network protocol processing mechanisms. When malformed or crafted TCP packets are received by the vulnerable system, the software fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, leading to excessive CPU resource consumption. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses issues related to improper validation of input data, and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack pattern. The flaw essentially causes the system to enter a continuous processing loop or consume disproportionate computational resources when attempting to parse the malicious packets, effectively rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise network management capabilities within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on HP OpenView NNM for critical network monitoring may experience complete loss of visibility into their network infrastructure, potentially leading to extended outage periods and significant business disruption. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from external network locations without requiring physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1498, which encompasses various forms of denial of service attacks that can be executed remotely against network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1494 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Organizations should deploy firewall rules and intrusion detection systems to monitor and block suspicious TCP packet patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves applying the official security patches released by HP to address the specific vulnerability in NNM versions 6.2 and 6.4. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect abnormal CPU usage patterns and automated response mechanisms can help minimize the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management tools and systems within the enterprise infrastructure.