CVE-2008-5417 in Decnet Plus For Openvms
Summary
by MITRE
HP DECnet-Plus 8.3 before ECO03 for OpenVMS on the Alpha platform uses world-writable permissions for the OSIT$NAMES logical name table, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and modify this table via the (1) SYS$CRELNM and (2) SYS$DELLNM system services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5417 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within HP DECnet-Plus 8.3 software running on OpenVMS Alpha platforms. This issue stems from improper file system permissions that grant world-writable access to the OSIT$NAMES logical name table, a critical system component that manages network naming resolution. The flaw specifically affects systems where the DECnet-Plus implementation does not properly enforce access controls on this essential configuration file, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the misuse of two fundamental OpenVMS system services: SYS$CRELNM and SYS$DELLNM. These services are designed to manage logical name tables within the OpenVMS operating system, but due to the world-writable permissions on OSIT$NAMES, unauthorized local users can manipulate these services to modify the logical name table contents. The SYS$CRELNM service allows for the creation of new logical names while SYS$DELLNM enables deletion of existing ones, both operating on the compromised table. This dual-service exploitation capability amplifies the attack surface and allows for comprehensive modification of the network naming infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to bypass intended access controls and potentially gain unauthorized network access or disrupt network services. The logical name table serves as a critical component in network resolution, and its modification can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks, service redirection, or complete network disruption. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system, as any local user with basic access can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges or compromise network integrity. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that is essential for secure system operation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any user with basic login privileges. The exploitation process involves leveraging the world-writable permissions to modify the logical name table through the designated system services, which can then be used to redirect network traffic or gain unauthorized access to network resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through improper permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5417 should focus on immediate permission fixes to ensure that the OSIT$NAMES logical name table is not world-writable. System administrators should implement proper access controls and file permissions that restrict modifications to authorized personnel only. The recommended approach includes applying the HP ECO03 patch or equivalent security updates that address the improper permissions issue. Additionally, implementing monitoring for unauthorized modifications to critical system tables and establishing proper user access controls can help prevent exploitation. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar permission-based vulnerabilities in their OpenVMS environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file system permissions in maintaining system security and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of system services and their access controls.