CVE-2008-3545 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in ovtopmd in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.01, 7.51, and 7.53 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3536, CVE-2008-3537, and CVE-2008-3544. NOTE: due to insufficient details from the vendor, it is not clear whether this is the same as CVE-2008-1853.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3545 affects the ovtopmd component within HP OpenView Network Node Manager versions 7.01, 7.51, and 7.53, representing a significant security weakness in network management infrastructure. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against affected systems. The vulnerability resides within the ovtopmd service which is responsible for managing topology data within the OpenView environment, making it a critical component for network monitoring and management operations. Given that this vulnerability operates at the service level, it presents a substantial risk to enterprise network infrastructure where continuous availability of network management tools is essential for operational continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the ovtopmd service's handling of input data or processing mechanisms that do not adequately validate or sanitize incoming information from remote sources. While specific technical details remain undisclosed due to vendor limitations, the classification as a denial of service vulnerability indicates that attackers can exploit this weakness to disrupt normal service operations without necessarily gaining unauthorized access to system resources or data. The vulnerability's designation as different from CVE-2008-3536, CVE-2008-3537, and CVE-2008-3544 suggests it represents a distinct attack surface within the OpenView NNM suite, potentially involving different code paths or processing logic. This distinction is particularly important for security teams who must address multiple vulnerabilities in a coordinated manner without conflating separate issues that require different remediation approaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3545 extends beyond simple service disruption, as network management systems form the backbone of enterprise network monitoring and incident response capabilities. When the ovtopmd service becomes unavailable due to this vulnerability, it can result in complete loss of topology information within the OpenView environment, severely impacting network administrators' ability to monitor network health, detect anomalies, and respond to security incidents. Organizations relying on HP OpenView NNM for network operations may experience cascading effects where the denial of service impacts broader network management workflows, potentially leading to extended downtime for critical network services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not adequately segment their network management infrastructure from public-facing systems.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the service execution and denial of service categories, where adversaries seek to disrupt critical infrastructure services. The lack of detailed vendor information regarding whether this vulnerability overlaps with CVE-2008-1853 creates additional complexity for security professionals attempting to assess their risk exposure and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of their network management system security posture, particularly when evaluating the security of legacy systems that may not receive regular updates or patches. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified further emphasizes the need for comprehensive network monitoring and intrusion detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant operational disruption.
The mitigation approach for CVE-2008-3545 should involve immediate implementation of network segmentation strategies to isolate the affected ovtopmd service from untrusted networks while simultaneously pursuing vendor patches or workarounds. Security teams should implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or service disruptions related to the ovtopmd component, enabling rapid response to potential exploitation attempts. Given the age of the affected versions, organizations should also consider planning migration to more recent versions of HP OpenView NNM or alternative network management solutions that have received ongoing security support and updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all network management infrastructure components, as older systems often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that remain attractive targets for cyber adversaries.