CVE-2007-4590 in Ignite-UX
Summary
by MITRE
The get_system_info command in Ignite-UX C.7.0 through C.7.3, and DynRootDisk (DRD) A.1.0.16.417 through A.2.0.0.592, on HP-UX B.11.11, B.11.23, and B.11.31 does not inform local users of networking changes made by the command, which has unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4590 resides within the Ignite-UX and DynRootDisk software components of HP-UX operating systems, specifically affecting versions ranging from C.7.0 through C.7.3 for Ignite-UX and A.1.0.16.417 through A.2.0.0.592 for DynRootDisk. This security flaw manifests in the get_system_info command which fails to properly communicate networking modifications to local users, creating a significant information disclosure and potential attack surface expansion. The affected HP-UX versions include B.11.11, B.11.23, and B.11.31, representing a substantial portion of enterprise server environments that were prevalent during the mid-2000s era when these vulnerabilities were discovered.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate communication protocols within the system information gathering mechanism. When networking changes occur during system operations, the get_system_info command does not adequately notify local users or processes about these modifications, creating a scenario where users may operate with outdated network configuration data. This behavior represents a deviation from proper system state management and information dissemination practices, aligning with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper information gathering or disclosure. The command's failure to maintain proper awareness of network state changes creates a condition where local users might make decisions based on stale information, potentially leading to misconfigurations or security missteps.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access. An attacker with local privileges could leverage this information gap to conduct network reconnaissance, potentially bypassing security controls that rely on accurate system information. The unknown impact and attack vectors referenced in the original description suggest that the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation, network mapping, or other malicious activities that exploit the lack of proper networking state communication. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where HP-UX systems are deployed, as the failure to communicate network changes could compromise the integrity of network security policies and configurations.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of Ignite-UX and DynRootDisk. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous network behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that regular system audits and network state verification procedures should be enhanced to compensate for the lack of automatic notification. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit local user privileges where possible, as the vulnerability primarily affects local users who might otherwise be able to manipulate system configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, making it particularly concerning for enterprise security posture management and compliance requirements.