CVE-2015-1938 in Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback
Summary
by MITRE
The server in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1 before 6.1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1986.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1938 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack version 6.1 before 6.1.12, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables unauthorized attackers to gain control over the affected system. This vulnerability specifically resides within the server component of the FastBack storage management solution, which is designed for backup and recovery operations in enterprise environments. The flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that differ from the related CVE-2015-1986 vulnerability, indicating a distinct pathway for exploitation that requires careful analysis and mitigation strategies.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the FastBack server implementation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the running service account. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may involve protocol parsing errors, buffer overflows, or improper handling of network requests that could be exploited through various attack surfaces including network ports, API endpoints, or administrative interfaces. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 vulnerability class, which specifically addresses command injection flaws that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1938 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for their data protection infrastructure. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within the network, and disruption of critical backup operations. Given that FastBack is typically deployed in enterprise environments where it manages critical data protection workflows, the compromise of such a system could lead to extended downtime, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to initiate attacks, making it particularly dangerous in perimeter-facing deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1.12 or later versions that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of FastBack server components to untrusted networks. Monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns and unauthorized access attempts should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the FastBack service with minimal required permissions and ensuring that administrative access is properly secured through multi-factor authentication and secure remote access protocols. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and represents a critical threat that requires immediate attention from security teams to prevent potential data breaches and system compromises in enterprise storage environments.