CVE-2004-2762 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The server in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) 4.2.x on MVS, 5.1.9.x before 5.1.9.1, 5.1.x before 5.1.10, 5.2.2.x before 5.2.2.3, 5.2.x before 5.2.3, 5.3.x before 5.3.0, and 6.x before 6.1, when the HTTP communication method is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash or hang) via unspecified HTTP traffic, as demonstrated by the IBM port scanner 1.3.1.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2762 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager implementations across multiple versions including 4.2.x on MVS platforms and various releases from 5.1.9.x through 6.1. This security flaw specifically impacts systems where the HTTP communication method is enabled, creating a potential vector for remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the TSM daemon. The vulnerability manifests when processing unspecified HTTP traffic, making it particularly concerning as it can be triggered through seemingly benign network communication patterns that are common in storage management environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the HTTP processing components of the TSM server software. When the HTTP communication method is enabled, the system processes incoming HTTP requests without adequate sanitization of the traffic patterns or content, allowing malicious or malformed HTTP data to cause the daemon process to crash or enter a hung state. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or resource exhaustion vulnerability that can be exploited through crafted network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects critical storage management infrastructure that organizations depend upon for data protection and recovery operations. When the TSM daemon crashes or hangs, it prevents legitimate storage management operations including backup scheduling, restore requests, and storage allocation processes. The demonstration of this vulnerability using IBM port scanner 1.3.1 indicates that even automated scanning tools can trigger the denial of service condition, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring and security scanning are routine activities. This vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a reliable method to disrupt storage management services without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the HTTP communication method when it is not strictly required for operations, applying the appropriate vendor patches released for the specific affected versions, and implementing network-level controls to restrict access to the TSM server's HTTP ports. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499 subtechnique for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage network protocols to consume resources or cause service interruptions. Additionally, implementing proper network segmentation and access controls around TSM server components can help limit the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to the vulnerable HTTP interface. Regular monitoring of TSM server processes and implementing automated alerting for daemon crashes or hangs can provide early detection of exploitation attempts and support incident response procedures.