CVE-2011-1858 in Service Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP Service Manager 7.02, 7.11, 9.20, and 9.21 and Service Center 6.2.8 allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1858 represents a critical access control weakness within HP Service Manager and Service Center software versions 7.02, 7.11, 9.20, and 9.21. This unspecified flaw allows local attackers to circumvent intended security restrictions, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and data. The vulnerability resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of these enterprise service management platforms, which are widely deployed in corporate environments for managing IT service operations and workflows. The affected systems typically handle critical business processes including incident management, problem resolution, and change control procedures, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unknown attack vectors that permit local users to bypass access controls that should normally restrict their privileges within the service management environment. This type of flaw typically stems from inadequate input validation, improper access control implementation, or flawed privilege management within the application's security architecture. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it likely involves manipulation of authentication tokens, session management, or direct system calls that should be protected from local user interference. Such vulnerabilities often align with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) or CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) classifications, representing weaknesses in how the system enforces access restrictions for local users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate service management workflows, access confidential business data, modify system configurations, or disrupt critical IT service operations. Local users with minimal privileges could theoretically gain access to administrative functions or sensitive information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. This compromise affects enterprise environments where HP Service Manager and Service Center are deployed for managing complex IT service delivery processes, potentially exposing organizations to data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations. The vulnerability particularly impacts organizations that rely on these platforms for mission-critical service management operations, where unauthorized access could result in significant business disruption and financial loss.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available vendor patches, reviewing local user access controls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their service management environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism), highlighting the need for layered security approaches that go beyond simple access control measures. System administrators should enforce least privilege principles, monitor for unauthorized access attempts, and implement additional security controls such as privilege monitoring and access logging. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise applications. The affected software versions should be updated to the latest patches provided by HP, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit local user access to critical systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.