CVE-2011-1223 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Alternate Data Stream (aka ADS or named stream) functionality in the backup-archive client in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) before 5.4.3.4, 5.5.x before 5.5.3, 6.x before 6.1.4, and 6.2.x before 6.2.2 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1223 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM Tivoli Storage Manager's backup-archive client implementation on Windows platforms. This issue specifically affects the Alternate Data Stream functionality, commonly referred to as ADS or named streams, which is a Windows file system feature that allows multiple data streams to be associated with a single file. The vulnerability exists in multiple versions of IBM TSM including 5.4.3.4, 5.5.3, 6.1.4, and 6.2.2, with affected versions spanning across the 5.x, 6.x, and 6.2.x release lines, creating a broad attack surface for potential exploitation.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the handling of Alternate Data Streams during backup operations, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the backup-archive client process. This buffer overflow condition enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially escalating their access level from standard user to system administrator. The vulnerability's exploitation vector remains unspecified in the original description, suggesting that multiple attack paths may exist within the ADS processing logic, including malformed stream names, excessive data payloads, or improper stream handling during backup operations. The flaw directly corresponds to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-122 for stack-based buffer overflows depending on the specific memory corruption pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to compromise entire backup environments and potentially access sensitive data stored within the Tivoli Storage Manager infrastructure. Local users with access to systems running vulnerable TSM versions could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to backup data, modify backup configurations, or establish persistent access points within the organization's storage management environment. Given that TSM is commonly used for enterprise backup and recovery operations, the consequences of exploitation could include data loss, unauthorized data access, and potential disruption of critical business continuity processes. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams suggests that organizations with legacy TSM deployments may face prolonged exposure risks, particularly in environments where patch management processes are delayed or incomplete.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected IBM Tivoli Storage Manager versions, with particular attention to the specific version releases mentioned in the vulnerability advisory. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user privileges where TSM clients are installed, reducing the potential attack surface for local exploitation attempts. The implementation of monitoring solutions to detect unusual backup activity or stream processing patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected TSM versions and establish remediation timelines. Security controls aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those addressing privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, should be implemented to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in future deployments.