CVE-2008-1697 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in ovwparser.dll in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.53, 7.51, and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long URI in an HTTP request processed by ovas.exe, as demonstrated by a certain topology/homeBaseView request. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1697 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the ovwparser.dll component of HP OpenView Network Node Manager versions 7.53 and earlier. This flaw exists within the ovas.exe process which handles HTTP requests, specifically when processing certain topology/homeBaseView requests containing excessively long URIs. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where attacker-controlled data is written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory structures including return addresses and function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where HP OpenView NNM systems are exposed to untrusted networks. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious HTTP requests with excessively long URIs that trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by the vulnerable ovas.exe service. The successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the overflow to inject and execute malicious code remotely.
The technical exploitation requires precise control over the overflowed buffer to overwrite the return address on the stack, redirecting execution flow to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of HP OpenView NNM, indicating a widespread exposure across the product line, and the fact that it involves HTTP request processing makes it particularly accessible to remote attackers. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk as the attack surface includes any network interface where the ovas.exe service is listening for HTTP connections. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption can occur in predictable patterns, making successful exploitation more likely than in heap-based buffer overflows.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with HP's security updates, which typically address the input validation issues by implementing proper bounds checking. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable service to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious HTTP requests containing unusually long URIs can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in network services that process untrusted data from remote sources. System administrators should also review and restrict the exposure of HP OpenView NNM services to minimize potential attack vectors while ensuring business continuity requirements are maintained.