CVE-2011-1736 in OpenView Storage Data Protector
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability 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 read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in a filename in a GET_FILE message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1736 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Backup Client Service component of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector versions 6.00, 6.10, and 6.11. This weakness exists in the OmniInet.exe process which handles file operations through GET_FILE messages, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filenames, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths through specially crafted directory traversal sequences. This flaw specifically affects the backup and recovery infrastructure of enterprise storage environments, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of backed-up data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the OmniInet.exe service processes incoming GET_FILE messages without adequate validation of the filename parameter. Attackers can exploit this by constructing malicious filenames containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\", which when processed by the vulnerable service can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This allows the attacker to access files that should normally be restricted, including system configuration files, backup metadata, and potentially sensitive data stored within the backup environment. The flaw operates at the application level within the network communication protocol used by the Storage Data Protector client service, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring local system access or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1736 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to gain insights into the backup infrastructure's structure and potentially extract sensitive information from the backup environment. Organizations using affected versions of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector face risks including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and potential privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where storage backup systems often contain critical business data, system configuration files, and potentially credentials or other sensitive information. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage it from outside the network perimeter, making it a significant threat to organizations that have not properly secured their backup infrastructure. This weakness aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1736 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected backup services to untrusted networks. The use of firewall rules to restrict access to the specific ports and protocols used by OmniInet.exe can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of affected software and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper access controls in backup and recovery systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from backup systems and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to access systems with legitimate credentials. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to critical system files within their backup environments.