CVE-2014-2616 in Universal Configuration Management Database
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP Universal CMDB 10.01 and 10.10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors, aka ZDI-CAN-2091.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2616 represents a critical security flaw within HP Universal CMDB versions 10.01 and 10.10, classified under the broader category of unspecified remote code execution vulnerabilities. This issue was disclosed through the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under the CAN-2091 identifier, highlighting the serious nature of the threat that affects enterprise configuration management databases. The vulnerability exists within the core architecture of HP Universal CMDB, which serves as a centralized repository for managing and tracking IT infrastructure components and their relationships, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified attack vectors that allow remote adversaries to gain unauthorized access to the system with potentially elevated privileges. HP Universal CMDB operates as a complex middleware solution that processes and stores sensitive configuration data across enterprise networks, and the flaw appears to reside within the application's input validation mechanisms or authentication processes. The unspecified nature of the vectors suggests that the vulnerability could manifest through multiple attack paths including but not limited to buffer overflows, injection flaws, or improper access controls. According to CWE classification standards, this vulnerability likely maps to CWE-79 for input validation issues or CWE-20 for input sanitization failures, though the exact implementation details remain undisclosed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The implications are particularly severe given that HP Universal CMDB serves as a central repository for critical infrastructure data, making it a high-value target for advanced persistent threats. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive configuration information, manipulate system behavior, or establish persistent backdoors within enterprise networks. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, increasing the potential attack surface across various enterprise deployments.
Organizations utilizing HP Universal CMDB versions 10.01 and 10.10 face significant risk from this vulnerability without immediate remediation. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in modern network environments where perimeter security is often insufficient. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment from HP, but organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitoring of suspicious activities, and enhanced access controls around the affected systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would likely be categorized under initial access and execution phases, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation within compromised networks. The vulnerability's classification as a zero-day threat underscores the importance of proactive security measures including vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to protect against similar undisclosed vulnerabilities in enterprise infrastructure components.