CVE-2017-8948 in Network Node Manager i
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Bypass Security Restriction vulnerability in HPE Network Node Manager i (NNMi) Software versions v10.0x, v10.1x, v10.2x was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8948 represents a critical remote bypass security restriction flaw within HPE Network Node Manager i software across multiple versions including v10.0x, v10.1x, and v10.2x. This issue resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the network management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for monitoring and managing network infrastructure. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass security restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system functions and data within the NNMi environment. The flaw specifically affects the software's ability to properly validate user credentials and enforce access controls, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain elevated privileges without proper authentication.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the software's authentication flow, where attackers can leverage improperly validated session tokens or bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The flaw enables unauthorized users to access restricted administrative functions and sensitive network data that should only be available to authenticated administrators. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts for lateral movement and privilege escalation. The software's web-based interface and management console components are particularly vulnerable, as they handle user authentication and session management processes that fail to properly validate access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform critical network management operations such as modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive monitoring data, and potentially disrupting network services. Organizations using affected NNMi versions face significant risk of data breaches, network disruption, and potential compromise of their entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring prior access to the system, making it an attractive target for automated attacks. Security teams must consider the potential for lateral movement within networks where NNMi is deployed, as compromised access could provide pathways to other systems within the enterprise network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8948 require immediate implementation of vendor-provided patches and updates to affected NNMi software versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate NNMi systems from critical network infrastructure and apply additional access controls such as firewall rules restricting access to management ports and services. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and access attempts to NNMi systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper access control implementations in network management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other network management tools and platforms.