CVE-2011-1733 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 HPFGConfig message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1733 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 for organizations relying on HP's backup infrastructure. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed HPFGConfig messages, which are typically used for configuration management within the backup environment. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of input data within the OmniInet.exe process. When a remote attacker crafts and sends a specially formatted HPFGConfig message, the application fails to validate the message length or content against the allocated buffer space. This validation failure enables an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially overwrite the return address or other critical stack variables. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to network security. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it can provide attackers with persistent access to backup infrastructure that often contains sensitive organizational data. Backup systems are frequently considered privileged environments due to their access to critical data repositories, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking long-term access. Organizations utilizing affected versions of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector face risks including data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter, significantly expanding the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network security controls. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation further compounds the risk, as it eliminates the need for initial access credentials, making the attack more accessible to threat actors with basic network connectivity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1733 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from HP, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate backup infrastructure from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect and alert on malformed HPFGConfig messages, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network access controls through firewalls and access control lists can restrict communication to only necessary systems, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of backup infrastructure, as these systems often receive less attention in security monitoring compared to primary application servers. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, as these attacks can be detected through anomalous network traffic patterns and system behavior.