CVE-2011-1734 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 omniiaputil message.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1734 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 omniiaputil messages, which are part of the communication protocol used for managing backup operations. The buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory management of the OmniInet.exe process, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a classic stack buffer overflow mechanism where an attacker crafts a specially formatted omniiaputil message that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the OmniInet.exe application. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system. The flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. When exploited, the buffer overflow can overwrite return addresses and executable code segments in the stack, potentially allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the affected service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it compromises the integrity and availability of backup operations within enterprise environments. Organizations using affected versions of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector face potential data loss, unauthorized access to backup systems, and possible lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The backup client service typically runs with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to gain administrative control over backup operations and potentially access sensitive backup data. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to business continuity, as attackers could disrupt backup processes or corrupt backup data, leading to extended recovery times and potential data loss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1734 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest security updates from HP. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to backup services and consider disabling unnecessary backup client services where possible. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malformed omniiaputil messages. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that backup systems are not running with unnecessary elevated privileges, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their backup security policies to ensure that backup communications are properly secured with encryption and authentication mechanisms. According to industry best practices and ATT&CK framework guidance, layered security approaches combining network controls, application hardening, and continuous monitoring provide the most effective defense against this type of remote code execution vulnerability.