CVE-2011-1848 in Intelligent Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in img.exe in HP Intelligent Management Center (IMC) 5.0 before E0101L02 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted length field in a packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1848 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the img.exe component of HP Intelligent Management Center version 5.0 prior to E0101L02. This issue resides in the network packet processing functionality where the application fails to properly validate the length field of incoming packets before using it to allocate stack memory. The flaw manifests when the application receives a malformed packet containing an oversized length field, causing the subsequent memory allocation to exceed the bounds of the allocated stack buffer. This condition creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and control data, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring local system access or authentication. The attack vector involves sending a specially crafted packet with an inflated length field that triggers the buffer overflow condition during packet processing. This type of vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, which encompasses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, specifically targeting network-based attack surfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing HP IMC 5.0 systems as it allows remote code execution with the privileges of the running process, typically system-level privileges. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as the IMC platform serves as a central management interface for network infrastructure, potentially providing attackers with access to critical network management functions and sensitive operational data. The vulnerability affects the entire IMC ecosystem including network device monitoring, configuration management, and system administration capabilities. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any network-accessible system running the vulnerable version can be targeted, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise network management infrastructure.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1848 require immediate implementation of HP's official security patches and updates to reach the E0101L02 version or later. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict direct network access to IMC systems, particularly in environments where the vulnerable software is not essential for external network access. Organizations should deploy intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection capabilities targeting the specific packet patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual packet patterns and anomalous traffic behaviors can help identify exploitation attempts. System hardening practices including disabling unnecessary network services and applying the principle of least privilege should be enforced. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network management systems and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors that exploit buffer overflow vulnerabilities in network protocols.