CVE-2013-2964 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dsmtca in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) through 5.5.4.0, 6.1.0 through 6.1.5.4, 6.2.0 through 6.2.4.7, and 6.3.0 through 6.3.0.17 on UNIX and Linux allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2964 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the dsmtca component of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager, affecting multiple versions across the 5.x and 6.x release lines. This issue specifically impacts UNIX and Linux operating systems where the TSM software is deployed, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this storage management solution. The buffer overflow occurs in the dsmtca process which is responsible for handling certain administrative tasks within the TSM environment, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks by local adversaries who can exploit this weakness to elevate their system access rights.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the dsmtca component, which fails to adequately check buffer boundaries when processing user-supplied data. This allows attackers to overflow memory buffers and potentially overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses or function pointers, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface may involve multiple input points or data processing paths within the component, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully comprehend and mitigate. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as local users who can execute code on the affected system gain the ability to manipulate the TSM environment at a deeper level. This could enable attackers to access sensitive backup data, modify storage policies, or even compromise the integrity of the entire backup infrastructure. Organizations utilizing TSM for critical data protection may face severe consequences if this vulnerability is exploited, potentially leading to data loss, unauthorized access to backup repositories, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of TSM, making it particularly dangerous for environments where backup and recovery operations are critical to business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2964 should prioritize immediate patching of affected TSM versions through official IBM updates, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of TSM processes to detect potential exploitation attempts, utilizing security event monitoring tools that can identify abnormal behavior patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system rights. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected TSM installations and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, regular security audits of TSM configurations and access controls should be performed to minimize the attack surface and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions within the storage management environment.