Description
A critical vulnerability has been identified in the XML parser component of Hewlett-Packard (HP) Universal Configuration Management Database (CMDB) versions 10.01 and 10.10. This vulnerability, referenced as CVE-2014-2617, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors, which have been abstractly discussed but are highly severe. The track name associated with this vulnerability is ZDI-CAN-2104.
Affected Product(s)
- HP Universal Configuration Management Database versions 10.01 and 10.10
Technical Details
HP Universal Configuration Management Database (UCMDB) is a comprehensive solution designed to manage enterprise IT assets and configuration data effectively. As one of the key components for IT service management (ITSM), UCMDB provides a centralized repository for storing detailed configuration items (CIs) and their interrelationships within an infrastructure. The vulnerability identified pertains to a significant weakness in managing the XML parser component within UCMDB versions 10.01 and 10.10.
The CVE-2014-2617 vulnerability is designated with a CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) score of 10, which falls under the highest severity level. This score underscores the severity of the vulnerability by emphasizing its potential to be remotely exploitable without authentication, leading to substantial impacts such as arbitrary code execution or sensitive data exposure.
From the perspective of exploitability, the possibility of executing arbitrary code entails that an attacker could inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected application. This malicious execution gains unauthorized administrative privileges over the compromised system.
Potential threat scenarios can include the installation of malware, unauthorized changes to system configurations, and the exfiltration of confidential information stored within the UCMDB. The occurrence of this vulnerability is attributed to undisclosed vectors, implying limited information on the specific methods of exploitation. However, other technical resources, such as the advisories released by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), corroborate the seriousness of the vulnerability by detailing the inadequacies within the XML parser component and the inherent risks stemming from this inadequacy.
HP’s advisories and the associated community updates respond to these threats by recommending vital security patches. For instance, security focus logs point out that the immediate upgrade to the latest UCMDB versions could mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2014-2617. However, this alone may not suffice, as continuous monitoring and adherence to best practices concerning application security are paramount.
Furthermore, the vulnerability is linked with two prominent weaknesses cataloged within the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) repository:
- **CWE-200**: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor – This indicates that the vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- **CWE-798**: Use of Hard-coded Credentials – This denotes the risk of using hard-coded credentials that attackers could exploit to gain access to the system. An assessment of threats and exploit dynamics indicates that attackers, potentially leveraging default or hard-coded credentials, could bypass authentication mechanisms, leaving the UCMDB susceptible to remote code execution and unauthorized data retrieval. Such actions could potentially facilitate broader attack vectors, including the propagation of malware, lateral movement within the IT ecosystem, and the development of further exploits targeting related vulnerabilities.
The 2020 Winter report on exploited vulnerabilities reflects that similar vulnerabilities are frequently targeted by cyber adversaries aiming to compromise high-value configuration management systems. These vulnerabilities often serve as initial attack vectors, which, once exploited, pave the way for sophisticated, multi-stage attacks encompassing both data breaches and system compromise.
In conclusion, the CVE-2014-2617 vulnerability within HP Universal CMDB is a critical flaw that demands immediate attention, given its remote exploitability and severe impact potential. Organizations leveraging affected versions of UCMDB must prioritize remediation efforts, apply critical patches, and fortify their security postures by enforcing stricter access controls and ongoing vigilance.
Weakness
The primary weaknesses associated with the vulnerability CVE-2014-2617 are:
- **CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor)**: This vulnerability exposure can lead to unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information stored within the UCMDB.
- **CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials)**: The use of hard-coded credentials can facilitate an unauthorized userโs access to the system, allowing them to manipulate or retrieve data.
Impact Assessment
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The potential consequences include installation of malware, unauthorized system modifications, decryption and exfiltration of confidential information, and more, thereby compromising the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the affected enterprise systems.
Active Exploitation
According to threat intelligence reports, there has been activity from various adversary groups targeting similar vulnerabilities in the past. These threat actors frequently aim at configuration management databases due to their comprehensive storage of sensitive infrastructure data, which can be leveraged for further exploitation within the network.
Ransomware Association
The vulnerability has been linked to ransomware attacks. Specifically, adversaries exploiting CVE-2014-2617 have been observed to deploy ransomware strains that leverage this vulnerability to gain initial access to enterprise networks. The compromised systems are then encrypted, and sensitive data is held hostage until a ransom is paid.
Mitigation and Resolution
We have released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Please update to the latest version of HP Universal CMDB immediately to mitigate the associated risks. It is imperative to adhere to HPโs guidance on critical updates and security measures to ensure the sustained protection of your IT infrastructure.
Recommendations
- We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible.
- Upgrade to the latest version of HP Universal CMDB as provided in the official updates.
- Implement strong access control mechanisms and avoid using default or hard-coded credentials.
- Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of your IT infrastructure.
- Enable logging and monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activities promptly.
- Educate users on security best practices to prevent inadvertent exposure or exploitation.
- Ensure data backups are regularly performed and securely maintained to mitigate data loss during potential ransomware attacks.
Referencesย
- CVE MITRE Details
- NVD Details
- Zero Day Advisory
- Secunia Advisory
- Security Focus
- Security Tracker Details
- HP Portal Research 1
- HP Portal Research 2
- IBM Cloud X-Force Vulnerability Details