CVE-2011-2411 in Nonstop Server Software
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability on HP NonStop Servers with software H06.x through H06.23.00 and J06.x through J06.12.00, when Samba is used, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2411 represents a critical security flaw affecting HP NonStop servers running specific versions of the H06 and J06 software releases. This issue specifically manifests when Samba services are operational on these systems, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability's unspecified nature indicates that the exact technical mechanism enabling code execution remains undisclosed, though it clearly involves a privilege escalation or code injection vector within the Samba integration layer of these proprietary operating systems. The affected software versions span from H06.x through H06.23.00 and J06.x through J06.12.00, suggesting a widespread impact across multiple release streams of HP's NonStop operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the system before attempting to leverage this flaw. This authentication requirement significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the serious risk. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of Samba protocol implementation and HP NonStop server architecture, where the interaction between these components creates a code execution opportunity. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory handling that can lead to code execution, and may also relate to CWE-78, concerning OS command injection in software that improperly handles user-supplied input. The underlying flaw likely involves improper input validation or buffer handling within the Samba service integration with the NonStop operating system's security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on HP NonStop servers in mission-critical environments where Samba services are deployed. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of business operations. The NonStop servers are designed for high availability and fault tolerance, making the compromise of such systems particularly damaging to enterprise infrastructure. Organizations using these systems in environments where Samba services are enabled face the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability's presence in multiple software release versions indicates that organizations may have been exposed for extended periods, especially if they had not applied the relevant security patches or updates. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation would likely involve executing commands through the compromised Samba service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2411 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Samba services and establish strict access controls for systems running affected software versions. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous authentication patterns and unusual network traffic related to Samba services. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling Samba services on NonStop servers when not required, reducing the attack surface. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and ensure that all patches are properly applied across the enterprise environment. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits of their NonStop server configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, particularly focusing on the integration points between proprietary operating system components and third-party services like Samba.