CVE-2011-4789 in Diagnostics
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in magentservice.exe in the server in HP LoadRunner 11.00 before patch 4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted size value in a packet. NOTE: it was originally reported that the affected product is HP Diagnostics Server, but HP states that "the vulnerable product is actually HP LoadRunner."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4789 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the magentservice.exe component of HP LoadRunner 11.00 server software. This vulnerability specifically affects the remote monitoring and management capabilities of the application, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on HP LoadRunner for performance testing and monitoring. The flaw manifests when the system processes a crafted packet containing an oversized size value, which leads to memory corruption in the stack memory region. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution without requiring any authentication or local access to the system, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in input validation mechanisms within the magentservice.exe process. When a malicious packet is received with an oversized size parameter, the application fails to properly validate the input against predetermined buffer boundaries. This allows an attacker to overflow the allocated stack buffer and overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that the affected service typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing successful privilege escalation to system-level access. The attack can be executed remotely over network connections, making it particularly dangerous for environments where the LoadRunner server is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services through input validation flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4789 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Organizations utilizing HP LoadRunner for performance testing may find their entire testing infrastructure compromised, potentially exposing sensitive test data, configuration information, and underlying network architecture details. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple environments makes it particularly dangerous for enterprise organizations that deploy LoadRunner across various testing scenarios and development cycles. Security teams face significant challenges in detecting and mitigating this vulnerability due to its remote nature and the complexity of identifying all potential attack paths through the LoadRunner service architecture. The affected nature of HP LoadRunner server components means that organizations must consider not only immediate patching but also comprehensive network segmentation and monitoring of service communications. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the high-risk category for enterprise security, requiring immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential lateral movement attacks and persistent threats within network environments. Organizations should implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.