CVE-2008-1664 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in libc on HP HP-UX B.11.23 and B.11.31 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1664 represents a critical security flaw within the standard C library implementation on Hewlett-Packard HP-UX operating systems versions B.11.23 and B.11.31. This unspecified weakness exists within the libc component which serves as the foundational runtime library for applications running on these systems, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability manifests as a remote denial of service condition that can be triggered by attackers without requiring local system access or authentication credentials, presenting a significant risk to system availability and operational continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an unspecified flaw within the libc library functions that handle various system operations and memory management tasks. While the exact implementation details remain undisclosed in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper input validation, buffer overflows, or memory corruption issues within system call handlers. The libc library serves as the interface between user-space applications and the kernel, making any flaw within this component particularly dangerous as it can affect numerous applications and system services that depend on standard library functions for their operation. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which encompasses weaknesses related to improper handling of memory and buffer management in system libraries.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1664 extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks targeting the HP-UX environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically destabilize systems by triggering denial of service conditions that may result in complete system crashes or unavailability of critical services. The affected HP-UX versions B.11.23 and B.11.31 were widely deployed in enterprise environments and critical infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for business operations. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can target systems from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official HP security patches and updates specifically designed to address the libc flaw. System administrators must conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running the affected HP-UX versions and implement network segmentation to limit exposure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to prevent unintended service disruptions. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual network traffic patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system libraries and implementing robust patch management processes. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the T1499 technique for Network Denial of Service, with potential lateral movement opportunities if attackers can establish persistent access through other means. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed system logs for forensic analysis in case of successful attacks.