CVE-2011-0896 in NFS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP NFS/ONCplus B.11.31.10 and earlier on HP-UX B.11.31 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0896 represents a critical security flaw within HP NFS/ONCplus implementation on HP-UX operating systems. This issue affects versions B.11.31.10 and earlier, indicating a long-standing weakness that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the Network File System/ONCplus component which serves as a fundamental networking service for file sharing and remote access capabilities within HP-UX environments. The affected system components operate at a low level within the operating system architecture, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise networks that rely heavily on file sharing and network services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an unspecified flaw that allows authenticated remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition. While the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified in the CVE description, the classification suggests a weakness in input validation, resource handling, or state management within the NFS/ONCplus service implementation. This type of vulnerability typically involves either buffer overflows, improper error handling, or resource exhaustion conditions that can be leveraged by attackers who have already established authentication credentials. The authenticated requirement indicates that attackers must first gain valid user credentials, but this does not significantly limit the potential impact as legitimate users may be compromised or attackers may obtain credentials through other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures that depend on NFS services for file sharing and data access. When exploited, the denial of service condition can render critical file servers unavailable to legitimate users, causing business disruption and potential data accessibility issues. Organizations relying on HP-UX systems for mission-critical applications may experience significant downtime and productivity losses. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where NFS services are heavily utilized for database access, application deployment, or shared storage solutions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any network location where the attacker has authenticated access, potentially allowing for widespread impact across multiple network segments.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses "Improper Access of Resource During Extension of the Resource" and potentially CWE-400 which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption". The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability would fall under the ATT&CK framework's T1499 category for "Authorization To Use Resources" and T1070 for "Indicator Removal on Host". Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available patches from HP, implementing network segmentation to limit access to NFS services, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual authentication patterns or service disruptions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components, particularly those implementing network services that are critical to business operations. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can help reduce the attack surface and potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.