CVE-2007-5008 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
The logins command in HP-UX B.11.31, B.11.23, and B.11.11 does not correctly report password status, which allows remote attackers to obtain privileges when certain "password issues" are not detected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5008 affects Hewlett Packard Unix operating systems versions B.11.31, B.11.23, and B.11.11 where the logins command fails to properly report password status information. This flaw creates a significant security gap in the authentication verification process that could be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized privileges. The issue stems from the command's inability to accurately detect and report certain password-related problems, thereby allowing malicious actors to bypass normal authentication checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the password status reporting mechanism within the logins utility. When password issues occur that should normally trigger security alerts or authentication failures, the command fails to properly communicate these conditions to the system. This misreporting creates a false sense of security where compromised or weak passwords may appear valid to the authentication system. The flaw operates at the command-line interface level and affects the core authentication infrastructure of the operating system, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines fundamental security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical weakness that could enable remote privilege escalation attacks. Attackers could exploit the improper password status reporting to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain elevated system privileges without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it compromises the integrity of the entire authentication framework. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where remote access is permitted, as attackers could leverage network connectivity to exploit the flaw from external positions.
The security implications of CVE-2007-5008 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering attacks that exploit authentication flaws. Organizations running affected HP-UX versions face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, particularly in environments where multiple users require remote access. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor mechanism that allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected HP-UX systems to the latest security updates provided by Hewlett Packard. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of login activities to detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors. Regular security audits of authentication systems and password policies should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The recommended approach combines immediate remediation with enhanced monitoring to prevent exploitation while maintaining system operational integrity.