CVE-2015-2122 in SDN VAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The REST layer on HP SDN VAN Controller devices 2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via network traffic to the REST port.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2122 affects HP SDN VAN Controller devices running version 2.5 or earlier, specifically targeting the REST layer implementation that exposes network services on designated ports. This weakness enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the affected system through carefully crafted network traffic directed toward the REST interface port. The vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the availability of the network controller service, potentially disrupting network operations and connectivity within the SDN environment.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the REST API layer of the HP SDN controller. When remote attackers send malformed or specially crafted requests to the exposed REST port, the system fails to properly process these inputs, leading to service disruption or complete system unavailability. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and may also relate to CWE-400, "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," as the system may become overwhelmed by malformed requests. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the controller does not implement adequate request sanitization or resource limiting mechanisms to handle abnormal traffic patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise network infrastructure reliability and business continuity. Organizations relying on HP SDN VAN Controller for software-defined networking operations face significant risk when this vulnerability remains unpatched, since attackers can remotely render the network controller inoperative without requiring authentication credentials. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior access to the system and can be executed from any network location capable of reaching the exposed REST port. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and may also correspond to T1566.002, "Phishing via Service Provider," if attackers leverage this weakness as part of broader attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2122 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HP SDN VAN Controller devices to version 2.6 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the REST port from trusted networks only, and consider implementing rate limiting or request filtering mechanisms to prevent abuse of the REST interface. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network segmentation to isolate critical SDN controller services and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual traffic patterns on exposed ports. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure API development practices and proper input validation, reinforcing industry standards that emphasize defensive coding techniques and the principle of least privilege for network services.