CVE-2009-0712 in WMI Mapper
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in WMI Mapper for HP Systems Insight Manager before 2.5.2.0 allows local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0712 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the WMI Mapper component of HP Systems Insight Manager software. This issue affects versions prior to 2.5.2.0 and specifically targets local users who can exploit unspecified attack vectors to elevate their privileges within the system. The WMI Mapper functionality serves as an interface for managing and monitoring system resources through Windows Management Instrumentation, making it a potentially valuable target for attackers seeking to expand their access privileges. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the underlying flaw could manifest through multiple pathways including improper access controls, insecure privilege handling, or inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WMI Mapper component.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of local privilege escalation as defined by CWE-264, which encompasses weaknesses that allow attackers with local access to elevate their privileges to higher levels such as administrator or root access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of a system management tool that typically requires elevated privileges to function properly. The vulnerability likely stems from improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the WMI Mapper, potentially allowing local users to bypass normal authentication and authorization checks that should prevent privilege escalation. This could manifest through insecure object instantiation, improper privilege checking during WMI operations, or failure to validate user credentials before executing privileged system calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the security model of systems running affected versions of HP Systems Insight Manager. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's presence in a systems management tool creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can leverage legitimate administrative functionality to gain elevated privileges, making detection more challenging and the attack more persistent. Organizations relying on HP Systems Insight Manager for system monitoring and management face significant risk if they operate vulnerable versions, as the tool's legitimate use cases provide attackers with legitimate access points to exploit these privilege escalation vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0712 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by HP to address the underlying privilege escalation flaw. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to HP Systems Insight Manager version 2.5.2.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing principle of least privilege for accounts running the WMI Mapper functionality, monitoring for suspicious WMI operations and privilege escalation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of system management tools. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation and persistence through legitimate system tools, making it particularly relevant for security teams implementing defensive strategies against advanced persistent threats. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit local access to systems running affected software and implement comprehensive logging and monitoring of WMI-related activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.