CVE-2017-5789 in LoadRunner
Summary
by MITRE
HPE LoadRunner before 12.53 Patch 4 and HPE Performance Center before 12.53 Patch 4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors. At least in LoadRunner, this is a libxdrutil.dll mxdr_string heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5789 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in HPE LoadRunner and HPE Performance Center software versions prior to 12.53 Patch 4. This flaw resides within the libxdrutil.dll library component, specifically in the mxdr_string function which handles XDR (External Data Representation) string processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when processing malformed XDR data structures, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote code execution. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable because they process untrusted data from network sources without proper sanitization mechanisms. This issue manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow, where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature of the flaw makes it particularly dangerous in networked environments where untrusted data flows through the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within enterprise networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to testing environments where LoadRunner and Performance Center are deployed, potentially compromising the integrity of performance testing data and infrastructure. The nature of these applications as performance testing tools means they often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive network resources or system information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments. This flaw directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling remote access through exploitation of application vulnerabilities, and can facilitate subsequent techniques such as T1059 for command execution and T1082 for system information discovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5789 primarily focus on immediate patch management and operational security measures. Organizations must prioritize deployment of HPE patches 12.53 Patch 4 or later for both LoadRunner and Performance Center applications to address the heap-based buffer overflow in libxdrutil.dll. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these applications to untrusted networks, particularly restricting direct internet access to testing infrastructure. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual XDR traffic patterns or malformed data sequences. Additionally, application whitelisting and execution restrictions can prevent unauthorized code execution on systems running these vulnerable applications. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software within their environments and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing remote code execution vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure timely deployment of vendor security fixes, particularly for mission-critical performance testing and monitoring applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of known vulnerabilities in enterprise software infrastructure.