CVE-2012-3254 in Inode Management Center Pc
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in HP iNode Management Center before iNode PC 5.1 E0304 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted input, as demonstrated by a stack-based buffer overflow in iNodeMngChecker.exe for a crafted 0x0A0BF007 packet.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3254 represents a critical security flaw in HP iNode Management Center software prior to version iNode PC 5.1 E0304. This vulnerability falls under the category of unspecified multiple vulnerabilities, indicating that the affected system contains several distinct security weaknesses that can be exploited remotely. The primary concern lies within the iNodeMngChecker.exe component which processes incoming network packets, specifically demonstrating a stack-based buffer overflow when handling a crafted 0x0A0BF007 packet. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without requiring authentication or physical access to the target system, making them attractive targets for remote attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the iNodeMngChecker.exe application. When processing network traffic, the software fails to properly validate the length and content of incoming packets, particularly those with the specific identifier 0x0A0BF007. This allows an attacker to craft malicious packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, resulting in a stack-based buffer overflow condition. The overflow occurs in the application's memory management system where the program attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of a predefined memory buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that has been consistently identified as a critical threat in cybersecurity assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. Remote code execution vulnerabilities of this nature can enable attackers to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The affected HP iNode Management Center serves as a critical component in network management, making successful exploitation particularly damaging to enterprise security posture. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise network monitoring capabilities, potentially leading to widespread security breaches across multiple connected devices. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the network without requiring local access, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3254 should prioritize immediate software patching and updates from HP to address the identified buffer overflow vulnerabilities. Organizations must ensure that all instances of HP iNode Management Center are updated to version iNode PC 5.1 E0304 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems, while intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns associated with the specific 0x0A0BF007 packet identifier. Additionally, implementing network-based firewalls and access control lists can help prevent unauthorized network access to the affected management center components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, which are commonly used by attackers to establish persistent access after initial compromise. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.