CVE-2011-1731 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_INTEGUTIL message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1731 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within 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 that can be exploited remotely. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes a malformed EXEC_INTEGUTIL message, which is a protocol message used for integrity verification within the backup operations. The buffer overflow occurs in the network communication handling layer where insufficient input validation allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level, enabling remote exploitation without requiring local system access or authentication. Attackers can craft specially formatted EXEC_INTEGUTIL messages that contain oversized data payloads, causing the OmniInet.exe process to write beyond its allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing HP OpenView Storage Data Protector, as it provides a direct path for remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability exists in a network-facing service that handles backup operations, making it accessible to any attacker who can communicate with the affected system. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire backup infrastructures, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate backup data, access sensitive information, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of network segmentation and proper firewall configurations, as it represents a classic example of how poorly validated network input can create critical security weaknesses in enterprise backup solutions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts through malformed EXEC_INTEGUTIL messages. The recommended mitigations include immediate patching of affected systems to the latest versions of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector, implementing network segmentation to limit access to backup services, and applying firewall rules to restrict communication to necessary sources only. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential attack vectors within their backup infrastructure and implement proper input validation controls to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in other applications. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust network security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against enterprise backup systems.