CVE-2005-3565 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in remshd daemon in HP-UX B.11.00, B.11.11, and B.11.23 while running in "Trusted Mode" allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3565 represents a critical security flaw within the remshd daemon component of Hewlett-Packard's Unix operating system versions B.11.00, B.11.11, and B.11.23 when operating in Trusted Mode configuration. This daemon serves as the remote shell service handler responsible for managing remote shell connections, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized system access. The Trusted Mode configuration in HP-UX implements enhanced security controls that should normally prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited, yet this flaw demonstrates a significant weakness in the system's security architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the remshd daemon when processing remote connection requests. While the exact attack vectors remain unspecified in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically arise from buffer overflows, improper authentication checks, or privilege escalation flaws that allow remote adversaries to bypass the normal security boundaries enforced by Trusted Mode. The remshd daemon's operation in a privileged context means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated system privileges, potentially enabling complete system compromise. This aligns with CWE-20, which addresses weaknesses in input validation, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security model of HP-UX systems running in Trusted Mode. Organizations relying on these systems for sensitive operations face significant risks including data theft, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of HP-UX, indicating a widespread issue that would require extensive patch management efforts across affected environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges beyond normal user limitations, or use the compromised system as a launching point for attacks against other network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch application from HP, as the original vendor would have released security updates addressing the specific flaw in the remshd daemon. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running remshd services and consider disabling the service entirely if remote shell functionality is not strictly required. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and monitoring of unusual authentication patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as attackers may use compromised systems to establish persistence and potentially exploit additional network resources. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their HP-UX environments and ensure proper security configurations are maintained across all system components.