CVE-2011-1865 in OpenView Storage Data Protector
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the inet service in HP OpenView Storage Data Protector 6.00 through 6.20 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a request containing crafted parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1865 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the inet service component of HP OpenView Storage Data Protector software versions 6.00 through 6.20. This vulnerability resides in the network service handling mechanism that processes incoming requests from remote clients, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control. The affected software operates within enterprise storage management environments where data protection and backup solutions are critical components of IT infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the inet service's parameter processing routines. When the service receives network requests containing specially crafted parameters, it fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This fundamental flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The stack-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable code uses automatic storage allocation for buffer variables, making the memory layout predictable and exploitable through carefully constructed input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to storage management systems that typically contain sensitive backup data and critical infrastructure information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to enterprise storage environments, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or disruption of backup operations that could result in significant business continuity issues. The remote exploit capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where storage protection systems are exposed to external networks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category which encompasses memory safety issues in program execution environments. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of remote access tools to gain unauthorized access to systems, and T1059 which covers the execution of malicious code through command injection. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, implement network segmentation to limit exposure of storage management services, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management in protecting enterprise storage infrastructure from sophisticated attack vectors.