CVE-2014-7877 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the kernel in HP HP-UX B.11.31 allows local users to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7877 resides within the kernel of HP HP-UX B.11.31 operating system, representing a critical security weakness that enables local attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This unspecified flaw operates at the kernel level, which means it can potentially compromise the fundamental stability and functionality of the entire operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects the HP-UX B.11.31 release, indicating that this issue was present in a particular version of the HP Unix operating system that was widely used in enterprise environments for mission-critical applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an unspecified flaw within the kernel implementation that allows local users to manipulate system resources in a manner that results in system instability or complete service unavailability. While the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified in the CVE description, kernel-level vulnerabilities of this nature typically involve memory corruption issues, improper input validation, or race conditions that can be exploited by authenticated local users. The fact that this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability means that an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit it, but the impact can be severe enough to render the entire system unusable. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which covers weaknesses related to memory safety issues, and potentially CWE-122, which addresses weaknesses related to improper restriction of operations within a modified system.
From an operational impact perspective, the denial of service condition created by CVE-2014-7877 can have significant consequences for organizations running HP-UX B.11.31 systems. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause system crashes, reboot loops, or complete system unavailability, which directly impacts business continuity and operational efficiency. Organizations that rely on HP-UX systems for critical applications such as financial services, telecommunications, or manufacturing operations face substantial risk when this vulnerability exists in their environment. The local nature of the attack means that attackers typically need to have legitimate user access to the system, but this access could be gained through various means including credential theft, insider threats, or other initial compromise vectors. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for attackers to establish persistent access or to conduct more sophisticated attacks once they have gained initial foothold on the system.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7877 primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches and updates provided by HP to address the kernel vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems running HP-UX B.11.31 to prevent exploitation. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual system behavior, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to privilege escalation techniques and system compromise activities, making it important for security teams to monitor for these specific attack patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and least privilege access models to limit the potential impact if local access is compromised. Regular security awareness training for system administrators and users can also help reduce the risk of credential compromise that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.