CVE-2008-0247 in Tivoli Storage Manager Express
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Express Backup Server service (dsmsvc.exe) in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Express 5.3 before 5.3.7.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a packet with a large length value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0247 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Express Backup Server service, specifically affecting dsmsvc.exe executable. This flaw exists within the network protocol handling mechanism of the TSM Express 5.3 software suite, which was designed for enterprise storage management and backup operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing network packets, particularly those containing oversized length fields that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. The affected version range spans from TSM Express 5.3 through 5.3.7.2, making it a long-standing issue that impacted numerous enterprise environments relying on this storage management solution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted network packet that contains an abnormally large length value, which the dsmsvc.exe service fails to properly validate before attempting to process. When the service encounters such malformed input, it attempts to allocate memory on the heap based on the deceptive length value, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This heap corruption can be leveraged by remote attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management routines, making it particularly dangerous as heap-based overflows often provide attackers with more predictable memory layout control compared to stack-based variants.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0247 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and availability of storage management infrastructure. Organizations utilizing TSM Express 5.3 were exposed to potential unauthorized access to their backup systems, which could result in data theft, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries could exploit this vulnerability from outside the organization's network perimeter, making traditional network segmentation measures insufficient for protection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases, specifically targeting service processes and network protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate implementation of IBM security patches and updates, as the vendor released version 5.3.7.3 to address the heap overflow condition. Organizations should have implemented network segmentation measures to restrict access to the affected service ports, deployed intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns, and established regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar issues in legacy storage management software. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of input validation in network services and reinforced the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches across enterprise storage infrastructure. Organizations that failed to address this vulnerability risked exposure to sophisticated attacks targeting their backup and storage management systems, which often contain sensitive organizational data and serve as critical infrastructure components for business continuity operations.