CVE-2005-1825 in OpenView Application Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the nvd_exec function in HP Radia Notify Daemon 3.1.2.0 (formerly by Novadigm), and other versions including 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a command with crafted parameters to a RADEXECD process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1825 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the nvd_exec function of HP Radia Notify Daemon version 3.1.2.0, which was originally developed by Novadigm before HP's acquisition. This daemon serves as a notification service component within the HP Radia management platform, designed to execute remote commands and manage system notifications across distributed networks. The flaw affects multiple versions including 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x, indicating a widespread exposure across the product lineage. The vulnerability specifically resides in the RADEXECD process which handles command execution requests, making it a prime target for remote exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the nvd_exec function where insufficient bounds checking is performed on user-supplied parameters passed through the RADEXECD process. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted command containing excessive data to the daemon, the function fails to validate input lengths, causing stack memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite return addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running daemon process. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses and represents a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a primary attack vector for numerous successful exploits throughout cybersecurity history.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to systems running affected versions of the HP Radia Notify Daemon. Since the daemon typically operates with elevated privileges to perform system management tasks, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such notification services are commonly deployed. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as the executed code could potentially leverage shell commands to extend the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1825 require immediate patching of affected systems with the latest security updates from HP, as this vulnerability has been addressed through official vendor releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the RADEXECD service, restrict the exposure of the daemon to only trusted networks, and consider disabling the service entirely if not required for business operations. Additionally, deploying network intrusion detection systems with signatures for this specific vulnerability can help identify exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning across all systems running affected versions of HP Radia, with particular attention to identifying any systems that may have been compromised prior to patching. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure proper configuration of the daemon and implementation of least privilege principles to minimize potential damage from similar vulnerabilities in the future.