CVE-2015-1896 in Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the FastBackMount process in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1 before 6.1.11.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1896 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the FastBackMount process of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack version 6.1 prior to 6.1.11.1. This vulnerability exists in the core component responsible for mounting and managing backup operations, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this data protection solution. The flaw specifically affects the FastBackMount process which handles the mounting of backup images and interacts with the underlying storage infrastructure to facilitate backup and recovery operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the system may be exposed to external threats. This type of buffer overflow vulnerability typically occurs when the application fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size memory buffers on the stack, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the FastBackMount process. When processing certain input parameters related to backup image mounting operations, the system fails to properly check buffer boundaries before performing memory copy operations. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer size, causing a stack overflow condition that can be leveraged to overwrite the instruction pointer and redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates over network protocols, potentially allowing remote exploitation from any location with network access to the affected system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and complete control over the backup server.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1896 poses severe risks to enterprise backup and recovery operations, particularly in environments where IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack is deployed for critical data protection. Organizations utilizing affected versions may experience complete system compromise, leading to potential data loss, unauthorized access to backup repositories, and disruption of business continuity processes. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the organization's network perimeter, potentially exploiting misconfigurations or exposed management interfaces. This threat scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of remote services for initial access and privilege escalation. The impact on backup operations could be catastrophic, as attackers could potentially corrupt backup images, delete critical data, or establish persistent backdoors through compromised backup servers. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive data stored within backup repositories, potentially exposing confidential information that was intended to be protected by the backup system itself. The nature of the FastBackMount process being targeted means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with direct access to the storage infrastructure, potentially enabling them to manipulate backup schedules, modify backup policies, or even perform unauthorized data exfiltration from backup volumes.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to protect their systems and data. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack, specifically upgrading to version 6.1.11.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to FastBack management interfaces and services, limiting exposure to potential attackers. Regular monitoring of system logs and network traffic should be enabled to detect any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and security information event management solutions can help identify anomalous behavior related to backup operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of the software and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls to limit which systems can communicate with FastBack services, reducing the attack surface and providing additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 and potential ATT&CK mappings highlight the need for comprehensive security measures that address both the immediate threat and broader system security posture.