CVE-2005-3983 in Systems Insight Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the login page for HP Systems Insight Manager (SIM) 4.0 and 4.1, when accessed by Microsoft Internet Explorer with the MS04-025 patch, leads to a denial of service (browser hang). NOTE: although the advisory is vague, this issue does not appear to involve an attacker at all. If not, then this issue is not a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3983 represents a denial of service condition affecting HP Systems Insight Manager version 4.0 and 4.1 when accessed through Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers that have been patched with MS04-025. This issue manifests as a browser hang or unresponsiveness during login page interaction, creating operational disruptions for legitimate users attempting to access the system management interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between the HP SIM web interface and the patched Internet Explorer browser environment, highlighting the complex compatibility challenges that can arise when enterprise management tools interface with security updates.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from incompatibilities between the HP SIM login page implementation and the security patches applied to Internet Explorer through MS04-025. This patch addressed critical vulnerabilities in the windows operating system and browser components, but inadvertently introduced conflicts with the specific web rendering and scripting behaviors employed by the HP SIM interface. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the web browser's handling of dynamic content and script execution during authentication processes. This type of issue falls under the category of improper input handling and browser compatibility problems, which are commonly classified under CWE-254 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption for system administrators who rely on HP SIM for monitoring and managing enterprise infrastructure. The browser hang condition prevents legitimate users from accessing critical system management functions, effectively creating a denial of service scenario from the user's perspective. While the advisory notes that this issue does not involve active attackers, the impact remains substantial as it affects the availability of management capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates how security updates designed to protect systems can sometimes create unexpected compatibility issues with existing enterprise applications, particularly those with complex web interfaces.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve either avoiding the specific browser and patch combination that triggers the issue or implementing workarounds that allow continued access to the management interface. Organizations should consider using alternative browsers for accessing HP SIM, or applying the MS04-025 patch to systems that do not require access to the affected HP SIM versions. This situation illustrates the importance of thorough testing when implementing security patches across enterprise environments, particularly for critical management and monitoring tools. The vulnerability also highlights the need for robust compatibility testing between security updates and existing enterprise applications, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK matrix for browser-based attack vectors. Organizations should maintain updated inventory of their browser and application configurations to prevent similar compatibility issues from arising in the future.