CVE-2010-1961 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ovutil.dll in ovwebsnmpsrv.exe in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.51 and 7.53 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified variables to jovgraph.exe, which are not properly handled in a call to the sprintf function.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1961 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within HP OpenView Network Node Manager version 7.51 and 7.53. This flaw exists in the ovutil.dll library and specifically affects the ovwebsnmpsrv.exe service component. The vulnerability manifests when the jovgraph.exe utility processes unspecified variables that are improperly handled during a sprintf function call, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and bounds checking in the string manipulation operations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically classified as a stack-based buffer overflow within the context of network services. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through network communication with the vulnerable HP OpenView NNM service, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network monitoring systems are typically accessible from external networks. The flaw demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue that violates fundamental security principles for memory safety and input sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a network management tool that is commonly deployed in production environments and often runs with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network monitoring data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the affected system, potentially using it as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it targets a service that typically operates continuously and is exposed to network traffic, providing attackers with multiple opportunities for exploitation. Organizations using HP OpenView NNM in their network infrastructure face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability can also be used to establish backdoors or deploy additional malicious software, making it a particularly dangerous threat to enterprise security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from HP, as the company released security updates to address the buffer overflow condition in affected versions of the software. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable service, disable unnecessary network services, and monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing network access controls to restrict access to the affected service, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in network management tools. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in legacy network management software that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind. Organizations should also consider migrating to more modern network monitoring solutions that have better security track records and regular security updates, as the affected HP OpenView NNM versions are no longer supported by the vendor and lack current security patches.