CVE-2011-1735 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 bm message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1735 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within 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 protection software, creating a significant security risk that enables remote code execution through specifically crafted malicious communications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the handling of bm messages, which are used for backup operations and communication between storage components. The flaw exists in the backup client service daemon that processes incoming messages from remote systems, making it susceptible to exploitation by unauthorized actors who can craft malicious payloads to trigger the buffer overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a classic stack-based buffer overflow mechanism where an attacker can send a malformed bm message containing excessive data that exceeds the allocated buffer space in the OmniInet.exe process. When the backup client service processes this malformed message, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially overwriting critical program execution data such as return addresses, function pointers, or other control structures. This memory corruption allows attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer, effectively enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the affected service account. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can communicate with the backup client service port.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1735 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios within enterprise storage environments. Organizations utilizing HP OpenView Storage Data Protector across their infrastructure face significant risk of unauthorized access to backup systems, which could lead to data exfiltration, system disruption, or lateral movement within networks. The backup infrastructure often contains sensitive organizational data and may serve as a critical component in disaster recovery operations, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to backup systems, potentially compromising backup integrity and undermining the organization's disaster recovery capabilities. The vulnerability affects not only individual backup clients but also impacts the broader storage management ecosystem, as compromised backup clients could be used as entry points for attacking other connected systems within the enterprise network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of backup client services to untrusted networks. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous bm message traffic patterns and establish intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network services. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary backup client services, implementing strict firewall rules limiting access to backup ports, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of storage infrastructure. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise storage management systems and highlights the risks associated with legacy backup software in modern threat landscapes.