CVE-2005-0652 in OpemVMS VAX
Summary
by MITRE
unknown vulnerability in hp openvms vax 7.x and 6.x and openvms alpha 7.x or 6.x allows local users to access privileged files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0652 represents a critical access control flaw within Hewlett Packard's OpenVMS operating systems across multiple architectures including VAX and Alpha platforms. This issue affects versions 6.x and 7.x of the OpenVMS operating system, creating a significant security risk that undermines the fundamental security model of these enterprise systems. The vulnerability specifically allows local users to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to privileged files that should only be accessible to system administrators or authorized processes. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can severely compromise the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive system data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the OpenVMS kernel implementation. Local users who already have access to the system can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges and access files that are normally protected by the operating system's security model. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that operates at the kernel level, potentially allowing attackers to read system configuration files, access sensitive logs, or manipulate critical system components. This flaw represents a failure in the operating system's mandatory access control policies and demonstrates weaknesses in the security architecture that governs file access permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and does not require network connectivity or external attack vectors, making it exploitable through simple local access.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0652 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, potentially enabling complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can access sensitive system information that may include user credentials, system configuration details, and proprietary data stored within privileged directories. This access could facilitate further attacks including lateral movement within the network, persistence mechanisms, and data theft that could result in significant financial and operational damage. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where OpenVMS systems are deployed for critical business operations, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and disrupting business continuity. Organizations running these older versions of OpenVMS may face compliance issues with security standards such as pci dss and iso 27001 due to the presence of such unpatched vulnerabilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches provided by Hewlett Packard and implementing additional access control measures. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of OpenVMS that address this privilege escalation flaw and ensure that all systems are running the latest security updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the CWE taxonomy. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged for persistence and defense evasion activities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.