CVE-2011-0261 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in jovgraph.exe in jovgraph in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.51 and 7.53 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed displayWidth option in the arg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0261 represents a critical code execution flaw within HP OpenView Network Node Manager versions 7.51 and 7.53. This issue affects the jovgraph.exe component responsible for graphical display functionality within the network management platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, specifically the displayWidth option within the arg parameter. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the displayWidth value to trigger arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure management systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient space is allocated for data storage, and CWE-77, which addresses command injection flaws. The flaw manifests when the jovgraph.exe application processes the malformed displayWidth parameter without proper bounds checking or input sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes within the context of the application process. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the vulnerable network management interface. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient validation permits attackers to overwrite memory segments and redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to the target network management infrastructure. Compromise of the OV NNM system can lead to complete network monitoring and control capabilities, enabling attackers to view sensitive network topology information, manipulate monitoring data, and potentially establish backdoor access points. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. Organizations using affected versions of HP OpenView Network Node Manager face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network infrastructure monitoring capabilities, potentially exposing critical network assets to compromise and unauthorized surveillance.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from HP, which address the input validation issues in the jovgraph.exe component. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict direct network access to the affected systems, particularly disabling unnecessary remote access capabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the network infrastructure. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual network traffic patterns or unexpected process execution. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network management infrastructure from remote exploitation attempts.