CVE-2007-5022 in Tivoli Storage Manager Client
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in certain IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) clients 5.1 before 5.1.8.1, 5.2 before 5.2.5.2, 5.3 before 5.3.5.3, and 5.4 before 5.4.1.2, when using "server-initiated prompted scheduling," allows remote attackers to read a client s data, aka IC53616.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5022 represents a critical security flaw in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager client implementations across multiple version ranges. This issue specifically affects TSM clients version 5.1 before 5.1.8.1, 5.2 before 5.2.5.2, 5.3 before 5.3.5.3, and 5.4 before 5.4.1.2 when utilizing the "server-initiated prompted scheduling" functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the client-side processing of server-initiated commands, creating an exploitable condition that enables unauthorized data access.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of scheduled tasks initiated by the TSM server, where the client fails to adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of received scheduling commands. This weakness allows remote attackers to manipulate the client environment and potentially extract sensitive data from the local system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring authentication to the TSM server itself, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who have network access to the client system. The issue falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how server-initiated operations can introduce client-side attack vectors when proper security controls are absent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the backup and recovery processes that TSM clients are designed to protect. Organizations using affected TSM client versions face significant risk of unauthorized data access, potential data leakage, and disruption of their backup operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where TSM clients are deployed across multiple systems and where network segmentation is not properly implemented, as it provides attackers with a pathway to access backup data without direct server compromise. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for "File Deletion" and T1566.001 for "Phishing" as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to backup data that might contain sensitive corporate information, financial records, or intellectual property.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5022 require immediate patching of affected TSM client versions to the recommended security updates provided by IBM. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to TSM client systems and disable server-initiated prompted scheduling where possible. Additionally, monitoring for unusual client behavior and implementing proper access controls on TSM client configurations can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper configuration management for enterprise backup solutions. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting TSM client implementations and ensure that all client systems are regularly updated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.