CVE-2011-1729 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 GET_FILE message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1729 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the OmniInet.exe component of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector backup client service. This vulnerability affects versions 6.00, 6.10, and 6.11 of the storage data protection software, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on HP's backup infrastructure. The flaw manifests specifically within the Backup Client Service where the OmniInet.exe process handles incoming network communications. The vulnerability is triggered when the system receives a malformed GET_FILE message, which causes the application to write data beyond the bounds of a fixed-size stack buffer. This type of buffer overflow constitutes a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that directly violates the principle of safe memory management in software development practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides remote attackers with the ability to gain arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted malformed GET_FILE messages to the affected service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require local access or authentication credentials to leverage the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The implications are severe given that backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data and operate with elevated privileges, potentially providing attackers with access to critical infrastructure components.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for HP OpenView Storage Data Protector. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected service ports, particularly those used by the OmniInet.exe component. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help monitor for anomalous GET_FILE message patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary network services and implementing least privilege principles for the backup client service. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the broader IT infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as the lack of proper bounds checking in the GET_FILE message handling routine created the exploitable condition. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this type of vulnerability, as the remote code execution capability provides attackers with significant operational leverage over affected systems.