CVE-2016-4397 in Network Node Manager i
Summary
by MITRE
A local code execution security vulnerability was identified in HP Network Node Manager i (NNMi) v10.00, v10.10 and v10.20 Software.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2016-4397 represents a critical local code execution flaw within HP Network Node Manager i software across versions 10.00, 10.10, and 10.20. This issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms that allow attackers with local system access to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes certain input parameters without adequate sanitization, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed. This represents a significant security risk given that NNMi is commonly deployed in enterprise network management environments where privileged access is often required for system administration tasks. The flaw falls under the category of CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, indicating that the vulnerability involves inadequate handling of potentially malicious input that could be exploited to manipulate application behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess local system credentials or access to the target machine, as the flaw does not permit remote code execution. However, the implications are severe because once an attacker gains local access, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute malicious code with the same privileges as the NNMi application itself. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted input that bypasses the application's validation checks, allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the system. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where network management tools like NNMi are often run with elevated privileges to perform system monitoring and configuration tasks. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure data.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4397 in enterprise network management environments is substantial, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network monitoring systems. Organizations relying on HP NNMi for network infrastructure management face potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized network access when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software means that a broad range of installations could be affected, creating widespread exposure across enterprise networks. Network administrators must consider that attackers could use this vulnerability to gain persistent access to network monitoring systems, potentially allowing them to remain undetected while monitoring network traffic or manipulating system configurations. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpreter execution, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security operations teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4397 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as HP released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege separation to limit local system access to only authorized personnel who require administrative privileges for legitimate system maintenance. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and ensure that all network management tools are kept current with security patches. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting the privileges of NNMi applications to only those required for their operational functions. Additionally, security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, including unexpected process creation or command execution activities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution, which would provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation of this vulnerability.