CVE-2011-0514 in Data Protector Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The RDS service (rds.exe) in HP Data Protector Manager 6.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a packet with a large data size to TCP port 1530.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0514 affects the Remote Desktop Services component within HP Data Protector Manager version 6.11, specifically targeting the rds.exe process that operates on TCP port 1530. This represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation flaw that enables malicious actors to disrupt service availability by sending specially crafted packets containing excessive data payloads. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the RDS service implementation, which fails to properly validate incoming data sizes before processing them. When the service receives a packet exceeding predetermined size limits, it crashes or becomes unresponsive, creating a denial of service condition that impacts legitimate users attempting to access the data protection services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending malformed network traffic to the designated TCP port 1530 where the RDS service listens for connections. Attackers can craft packets with oversized data fields that exceed the service's expected buffer sizes, triggering memory corruption or stack overflow conditions that cause the rds.exe process to terminate unexpectedly. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming data before processing. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and lacks proper error handling mechanisms to gracefully manage unexpected data conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on HP Data Protector Manager for their backup and recovery operations. A successful exploitation can result in complete service disruption, preventing authorized users from accessing critical data protection services during both normal operations and emergency recovery scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple availability issues as it can compromise the integrity of backup operations and potentially delay disaster recovery procedures. Organizations may experience downtime costs, data access delays, and potential loss of confidence in their backup infrastructure, particularly in environments where continuous data protection is mission-critical. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0514 should include immediate patching of the HP Data Protector Manager software to the latest available version containing the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to TCP port 1530, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual packet sizes on port 1530 can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling the RDS service if it is not essential for their operations, and regularly monitor service availability to quickly identify and respond to any denial of service incidents. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, representing a specific implementation of service disruption that can be classified under the broader category of availability attacks within cybersecurity frameworks.