CVE-2015-1925 in Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the server in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1 before 6.1.12 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1924, CVE-2015-1929, CVE-2015-1930, CVE-2015-1948, CVE-2015-1953, CVE-2015-1954, CVE-2015-1962, CVE-2015-1963, CVE-2015-1964, and CVE-2015-1965.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1925 represents a stack-based buffer overflow condition within the server component of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack version 6.1 prior to 6.1.12. This flaw exists in the daemon process that handles network communications and storage management operations, creating a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The vulnerability manifests when the server processes incoming network requests that contain malformed data, leading to improper memory handling that exceeds allocated stack buffer boundaries. This particular issue is distinct from several other vulnerabilities affecting the same product line, indicating a unique code path or implementation flaw that requires specific remediation approaches. The affected system operates as a centralized storage management solution that provides backup and recovery services for enterprise environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt critical data protection infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when remote attackers send specially crafted network packets or data payloads to the FastBack server daemon. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow corrupts the program's stack memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or daemon crash conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform denial of service attacks that cause the storage management service to terminate unexpectedly, thereby disrupting backup operations and data protection workflows. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the service may be exposed to untrusted networks. The precise vectors that trigger this vulnerability remain unspecified in the CVE description, but typically such flaws arise from insufficient input validation in network protocol handlers or data parsing routines.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1925 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of enterprise backup operations and data recovery processes. When the FastBack daemon crashes due to this vulnerability, organizations may experience interruptions in their scheduled backup windows, leading to potential data loss scenarios if backup jobs cannot complete successfully. The vulnerability affects the core storage management functionality that organizations rely upon for disaster recovery planning, making it a significant concern for IT administrators responsible for maintaining business continuity. The daemon crash can occur at any time during normal operation, creating unpredictable service interruptions that may go unnoticed until backup failures are detected. Organizations using this software in production environments face potential regulatory compliance issues if backup services become unavailable due to this vulnerability, particularly in industries with strict data retention requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1925 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1.12 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the FastBack server to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual daemon behavior or frequent service restarts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their environment and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure levels. The fix addresses the underlying buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory boundary checks in the server's network processing code, aligning with common security practices recommended in industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflows. Additionally, this vulnerability may be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, highlighting the importance of implementing proper network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to prevent exploitation attempts.