CVE-2010-1960 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the error handling functionality in ovwebsnmpsrv.exe in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.51 and 7.53 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long, invalid option to jovgraph.exe.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1960 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the error handling mechanisms of HP OpenView Network Node Manager version 7.51 and 7.53. This issue specifically affects the ovwebsnmpsrv.exe component which serves as a web server interface for the network management platform. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes malformed input through the jovgraph.exe utility, which is responsible for graphing network data and metrics within the OV NNM environment. The buffer overflow occurs during the error handling phase when invalid or excessively long option parameters are passed to the jovgraph.exe process, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's execution space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in input validation and memory management within the HP OpenView NNM web service. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted request containing an overly long invalid option parameter to the jovgraph.exe component, the system fails to properly validate the input length before processing it within the error handling code path. This results in a classic stack-based buffer overflow where the excessive input data overflows the allocated buffer space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory structures including return addresses and control information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the web server context, allowing remote exploitation without requiring authentication or local access to the system. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and bounds checking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple arbitrary code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the ovwebsnmpsrv.exe process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This compromise can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and lateral movement within the enterprise network. The vulnerability affects organizations using HP OpenView NNM in their network monitoring infrastructure, potentially exposing critical network assets to unauthorized access and manipulation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the web interface of the network management system, making it accessible from external networks and increasing the attack surface significantly.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official HP security patches released for this vulnerability, which address the buffer overflow in the error handling code path of ovwebsnmpsrv.exe. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks, particularly restricting access to the web interface ports used by the ovwebsnmpsrv.exe component. The implementation of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known exploit patterns related to this vulnerability can provide additional monitoring capabilities. Security administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary features and services, particularly the web-based components that are not essential for critical network operations. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing robust input validation and memory safety practices in network management software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands within the compromised environment.