CVE-2007-1994 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Address and Routing Parameter Area (ARPA) transport functionality in HP-UX B.11.00 allows local users to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors. NOTE: due to lack of vendor details, it is not clear whether this is the same as CVE-2007-0916.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1994 resides within the Address and Routing Parameter Area ARPA transport functionality of HP-UX B.11.00 operating system version. This represents a local privilege escalation issue that enables authenticated users with access to the system to potentially disrupt normal operations through unspecified attack vectors. The ARPA transport layer serves as a critical component in network communication protocols, handling address resolution and routing parameters essential for system connectivity and data transmission. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors presents significant challenges for security professionals attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate countermeasures, as the exact mechanisms through which exploitation occurs remain unclear.
The technical flaw manifests within the kernel-level transport mechanisms of the HP-UX operating system, specifically within the ARPA implementation that manages network address resolution and routing functions. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of denial of service attacks that can be initiated from within the system itself, making it particularly concerning for environments where local access is possible. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue suggests that while it may not directly provide unauthorized access to system resources, it can effectively compromise system availability and operational integrity. The underlying architecture of ARPA transport functionality typically handles critical network operations including address resolution protocols and routing table management, making any instability in this area potentially devastating to network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1994 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure managed by the affected HP-UX system. When local users can cause denial of service through ARPA transport mechanisms, it creates cascading effects that can disrupt network communications, affect routing decisions, and potentially cause system crashes or restarts. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where HP-UX B.11.00 systems serve as network routers, gateways, or critical infrastructure components. The attack vectors, while unspecified, likely involve manipulation of address resolution tables, routing parameters, or transport layer state information that could lead to system instability. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in mission-critical environments where network availability is paramount for business operations.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1994 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches from HP, as the vulnerability affects core transport functionality that cannot be easily bypassed through network-level controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of network transport layer activities and address resolution protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The lack of specific details about attack vectors makes defensive measures challenging, but system hardening through restricted local access controls and privileged account management can reduce attack surface. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and the risks associated with legacy operating system versions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could map to privilege escalation techniques and denial of service tactics, while the CWE classification would likely fall under software fault categories related to transport layer implementation and network protocol handling. Given the age of HP-UX B.11.00 and the lack of vendor details, organizations should consider migrating to supported operating system versions or implementing additional network segmentation controls to limit potential exploitation impact.