CVE-2007-4241 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ldcconn in Hewlett-Packard (HP) Controller for Cisco Local Director on HP-UX 11.11i allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string to TCP port 17781.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4241 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ldcconn component of Hewlett-Packard's Controller for Cisco Local Director software running on HP-UX 11.11i operating systems. This specific implementation defect occurs when the system processes incoming data through TCP port 17781, which serves as the designated communication channel for the controller software. The buffer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the ldcconn application, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated buffer space. The flaw specifically affects the ldcconn daemon that manages communication between HP's controller software and Cisco Local Director appliances, making it a critical component in enterprise network infrastructure management. When an attacker sends a specially crafted long string of data to TCP port 17781, the application fails to properly validate the input length, causing the buffer to overflow and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This memory corruption can be exploited to redirect program execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running service.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise networks that utilize HP's controller software for managing Cisco Local Director appliances. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution to include potential complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical network services. Organizations using this software in production environments face significant exposure, particularly in scenarios where the controller software is deployed in environments with limited network segmentation or where direct internet access is permitted to the affected TCP port.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of legitimate credentials and system tools to gain access to systems. However, in this case, the attack vector is more sophisticated as it leverages a buffer overflow to achieve code execution without requiring valid authentication. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate the affected TCP port 17781 from untrusted networks, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns, and applying the vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions within their network infrastructure management tools and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in enterprise software development, particularly for critical infrastructure management tools. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in network management software can create significant security risks when deployed in enterprise environments. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure tools, as well as maintaining up-to-date security patches for all system components. The incident underscores the necessity of robust software security practices and continuous monitoring of network services to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities that could compromise entire network infrastructures.