CVE-2014-4818 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
dsmtca in the client in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) 5.4.x, 5.5.x, 6.x before 6.4.3, and 7.1.x before 7.1.2 allows local users to discover the backup/restore encryption-key password via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4818 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager client components, specifically the dsmtca module responsible for backup and restore operations. This issue represents a significant security weakness in the encryption key management system where local attackers can potentially extract sensitive password information used for data encryption. The vulnerability impacts multiple versions of IBM TSM including 5.4.x, 5.5.x, 6.x before 6.4.3, and 7.1.x before 7.1.2, indicating a prolonged exposure period that allowed numerous organizations to remain at risk. The unspecified vectors through which this information disclosure occurs suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through various local attack methods, potentially including direct file system access, process inspection, or other local privilege escalation techniques.
This flaw directly relates to CWE-200, which describes the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and represents a critical weakness in the information protection mechanisms of the TSM client. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of confidentiality by allowing local users to access encryption keys that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The dsmtca component's failure to properly secure encryption key passwords creates a pathway for attackers to potentially access encrypted backup data without proper authorization, which could lead to complete data compromise. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core backup and restore functionality of enterprise storage management systems, where encryption keys are essential for protecting sensitive organizational data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4818 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of backup data repositories. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain access to encryption keys that may be used across multiple backup sets, potentially allowing them to decrypt large volumes of sensitive data that should remain protected. This represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on TSM for their primary data protection mechanisms, as the compromise of encryption keys can result in complete data breaches. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests that organizations with older TSM installations were particularly vulnerable, and the prolonged exposure period increases the likelihood of successful exploitation by malicious actors. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, where local users can leverage system weaknesses to obtain sensitive information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager, specifically versions 6.4.3 and 7.1.2 or later, which address this vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of their TSM client installations to identify and remediate any systems running vulnerable versions. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls on TSM client systems, monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts, and ensuring that encryption keys are properly secured through appropriate key management practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust access controls for all system components that handle sensitive data encryption. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's local nature means that successful exploitation requires physical or network access to the target systems.