CVE-2016-2012 in Network Node Manager i
Summary
by MITRE
HPE Network Node Manager i (NNMi) 9.20, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25, 10.00, and 10.01 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2022
HPE Network Node Manager i (NNMi) versions 9.20 through 10.01 contain a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system without proper credentials. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate user credentials or session tokens, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the security controls designed to protect the network management infrastructure. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may manifest through multiple attack surfaces including but not limited to API endpoints, web interfaces, or network protocols used by the NNMi platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves weaknesses in the authentication module where session management or credential validation fails to properly enforce access controls. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific requests or manipulating authentication tokens that should normally be validated before granting access to administrative functions or network monitoring capabilities. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege where unauthorized users can potentially access sensitive network management functions including configuration changes, monitoring data, and system administration capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete access to the network management infrastructure that typically contains critical network topology information, device configurations, and monitoring data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform man-in-the-middle attacks, modify network configurations, disable monitoring capabilities, or establish persistent access points within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage and privilege escalation. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating this was a persistent flaw that required multiple patches to address properly.
Organizations using these vulnerable versions of HPE NNMi face significant risk of network compromise as the authentication bypass allows attackers to operate undetected within the network management environment. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or prior knowledge of valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise networks that rely on centralized network management systems. Security teams should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from HPE, implementing network segmentation to isolate the NNMi systems, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Additional protective measures should include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong network access controls, and conducting thorough security audits of the network management infrastructure to identify any potential exploitation attempts.