CVE-2008-5120 in OpenVMS
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Process Software MultiNet finger service (aka FINGERD) for HP OpenVMS 8.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long request string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The CVE-2008-5120 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the Process Software MultiNet finger service implementation on HP OpenVMS 8.3 systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the FINGERD daemon which provides finger protocol services for user information lookup across network connections. The flaw manifests when the service receives a malformed request string that exceeds the allocated buffer space, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the finger service daemon. When processing incoming network requests, the service fails to properly bounds-check the length of the request string before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over a network service that is often enabled by default on OpenVMS systems, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access or authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to HP OpenVMS environments that have the MultiNet finger service enabled. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or valid credentials. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the finger service process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within network environments where multiple OpenVMS systems may be running vulnerable versions of the MultiNet software.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which classifies this as a fundamental memory safety issue where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through network-based exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable services. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing network access controls, and monitoring for suspicious finger protocol traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.