CVE-2011-1728 in OpenView Storage Data Protector
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in OmniInet.exe in the Backup Client Service in HP OpenView Storage Data Protector 6.00, 6.10, and 6.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed EXEC_BAR message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1728 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the OmniInet.exe component of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector backup client service. This issue affects versions 6.00, 6.10, and 6.11 of the storage data protection software, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes a malformed EXEC_BAR message, which serves as a command execution directive within the backup communication protocol.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the OmniInet.exe service responsible for handling backup client communications in the HP OpenView Storage Data Protector environment. When the service receives an EXEC_BAR message containing excessive data beyond the allocated stack buffer space, it fails to properly validate input lengths, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise entire backup infrastructures that rely on HP OpenView Storage Data Protector. Since the backup client service typically operates with elevated privileges to perform backup operations, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain administrative access to backup systems and potentially access sensitive backup data. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries need not have physical access to the target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where backup services are exposed to external networks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute malicious commands through the compromised backup service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1728 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from HP, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to backup services, ensuring that only authorized systems can communicate with the OmniInet.exe service. Additional protective measures include monitoring network traffic for malformed EXEC_BAR messages and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious communication patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in network services, particularly those handling administrative commands. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their backup infrastructure to identify similar flaws in other components and ensure comprehensive security coverage. The risk assessment should consider the potential for privilege escalation through backup service exploitation, as these systems often contain sensitive data and administrative capabilities that could be leveraged for broader network compromise.