CVE-2011-1539 in Proliant Support Pack
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP Proliant Support Pack (PSP) before 8.7 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1539 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within HP Proliant Support Pack versions prior to 8.7. This issue resides within HP's server management and support software ecosystem, specifically affecting the Proliant Support Pack which serves as a comprehensive toolkit for managing HP Proliant server hardware. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism enabling information disclosure was not fully detailed in the initial reporting, though it was confirmed to be exploitable by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The Proliant Support Pack operates as a critical component in enterprise server environments, providing firmware updates, diagnostic tools, and management capabilities for HP server infrastructure. This software typically runs on servers and interfaces with various management protocols and services, creating multiple potential attack surfaces for malicious actors seeking to extract sensitive system information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests that it likely involves improper access control mechanisms or insecure data handling within the PSP components that process requests from remote systems. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to access system configuration details, firmware versions, hardware specifications, or other sensitive metadata that should remain protected within the server management context. The unspecified vectors indicate that the vulnerability could manifest through various pathways including network protocols, web interfaces, or management service endpoints that are part of the PSP framework. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns found in the attack framework, where initial access to system information can enable further exploitation through subsequent attacks targeting system weaknesses revealed by the initial data leak. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where server management systems are often exposed to untrusted network segments.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1539 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data could enable sophisticated attacks against the affected systems. Attackers who obtain sensitive server information may use it to craft targeted attacks against specific firmware versions, identify vulnerable components, or plan more complex exploitation strategies. The vulnerability affects server environments where HP Proliant Support Pack is deployed, potentially exposing organizations to risks including system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. Organizations relying on these management tools for server maintenance and monitoring could face significant operational disruption if attackers exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized insights into their server configurations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where servers may be exposed to external threats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on upgrading to HP Proliant Support Pack version 8.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the information disclosure flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all server management components are updated with the latest security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only, while also implementing proper monitoring and logging of management service activities. The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure issue aligns with common cybersecurity frameworks and attack patterns, where initial reconnaissance through information gathering enables more sophisticated attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their server management infrastructure to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the Proliant Support Pack and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, organizations should review their overall server security posture and implement defense-in-depth strategies that include network monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their server infrastructure.