CVE-2016-4385 in Network Automation
Summary
by MITRE
HP Network Automation Software 9.1x, 9.2x, 10.0x before 10.00.02.01, and 10.1x before 10.11.00.01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections (ACC) library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4385 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HP Network Automation Software versions 9.1x through 10.1x, prior to specific patch releases. This issue stems from the software's improper handling of serialized Java objects, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious code and gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically leverages the Apache Commons Collections library, which has historically been a frequent target for exploitation due to its widespread use in enterprise applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization mechanism within the HP Network Automation software. When the application processes incoming serialized data, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the object structure before deserializing it into memory. This flaw aligns with CWE-502, which categorizes insecure deserialization as a significant security weakness that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector involves sending a specially crafted serialized Java object that, when processed by the vulnerable application, triggers the execution of malicious code on the target system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4385 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to network infrastructure managed by HP Network Automation. Organizations utilizing affected versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of network operations. The vulnerability affects network automation workflows that depend on the software's ability to process configuration data and manage network devices, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate network topology, steal credentials, or redirect traffic. This threat is amplified by the fact that network automation tools often operate with elevated privileges and have access to critical network infrastructure, making the compromise of such systems particularly severe.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected HP Network Automation installations to versions 10.00.02.01 or 10.11.00.01, which contain the necessary fixes for the insecure deserialization issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and monitor for suspicious serialized object traffic. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict input validation for all serialized data, and deploying intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish persistence and expand their access within the network environment. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of the network automation infrastructure to identify any potential post-exploitation activities and ensure complete system recovery.