CVE-2010-3759 in Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback
Summary
by MITRE
FastBackMount.exe in the Mount service in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) FastBack 5.5.0.0 through 5.5.6.0 and 6.1.0.0 through 6.1.0.1 writes a certain value to a memory location specified by a UDP packet field, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via multiple requests. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2010-3058.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3759 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack software versions 5.5.0.0 through 5.5.6.0 and 6.1.0.0 through 6.1.0.1, specifically within the FastBackMount.exe component of the Mount service. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the network communication layer. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes UDP packets containing maliciously crafted data that specifies memory locations for value writing operations, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical flaw resides in the way FastBackMount.exe handles incoming UDP packet fields, where it directly writes data to memory locations specified by the packet content without adequate validation or bounds checking. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which describes "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to send multiple specially crafted UDP requests to the affected service, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without authentication. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to overwrite memory contents with malicious code, potentially leading to complete system compromise and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for backup and recovery operations. Remote code execution capabilities enable attackers to gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system disruption, and lateral movement within the network. Given that FastBack is designed for storage management and backup operations, compromised systems could result in significant data loss or corruption. The vulnerability affects both version 5.5 and 6.1 branches of the software, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous enterprise environments. Organizations using these versions face potential exposure to sophisticated attacks that could compromise their entire storage infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3759 should include immediate patch application from IBM, which would address the memory handling and input validation issues within the FastBackMount.exe component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict UDP traffic to only trusted sources, particularly blocking access to the affected service ports. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the FastBack service with minimal required permissions, reducing potential damage from successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual UDP packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling the Mount service if it is not actively required, as this would eliminate the attack surface entirely. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, making it a high-priority target for security teams to remediate.