CVE-2008-4411 in System Management Homepage
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HP System Management Homepage (SMH) before 2.1.15.210 on Linux and Windows allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-1663.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The CVE-2008-4411 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Hewlett Packard's System Management Homepage software version 2.1.14 and earlier. This vulnerability affects both Linux and Windows operating systems where the HP SMH is deployed, creating a significant security risk for enterprise environments that rely on this system management interface. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system information and administrative privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the HP SMH web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulating parameters passed to the web application's server-side components. This XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web user interface components that handle user input and display system management information. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the system management environment and allowing for further exploitation of the underlying infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4411 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the managed environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain access to system configuration data, administrative functions, and sensitive operational information that the HP SMH provides. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the SMH serves as a central management interface for critical system components, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate system settings or access confidential data through the compromised interface. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) indicates it follows the standard pattern of insecure input handling that permits malicious code execution in web contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected HP SMH installations to version 2.1.15.210 or later, as this represents the official fix provided by HP. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls, input validation controls, and regular security assessments of their system management interfaces. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers may use this vulnerability as part of broader exploitation campaigns. Regular monitoring of system logs for suspicious activity and implementing proper security awareness training for administrators can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system management tools and web applications within their infrastructure.