CVE-2015-1948 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-2015-1925, CVE-2015-1929, CVE-2015-1930, 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-2015-1948 represents a critical 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 resides in the daemon process responsible for handling remote connections and processing client requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local system access or authentication. The vulnerability manifests when the server processes malformed input data through unspecified vectors, which differ from other known vulnerabilities in the same product line including CVE-2015-1924 through CVE-2015-1965, indicating a distinct code path or input validation mechanism that was not properly secured.
From a technical perspective, the stack-based buffer overflow occurs when the FastBack server daemon receives input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete daemon crash, depending on the precise memory corruption pattern and the specific system configuration. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that an attacker can leverage network-based communication to deliver malicious payloads without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1948 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can severely disrupt backup and recovery operations that organizations rely upon for data protection. When the FastBack daemon crashes, it affects the availability of critical storage management services, potentially leaving systems vulnerable to data loss or extended downtime during recovery operations. Organizations using this version of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack face significant risk to their data protection infrastructure, particularly in environments where automated backup schedules depend on the stability of the FastBack server. The vulnerability's potential for causing daemon crashes aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes the use of denial of service attacks to disrupt system availability, making this a particularly concerning weakness from both operational and security perspectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1948 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1.12 or later versions, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the FastBack server to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual daemon behavior or connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the storage management infrastructure. The remediation process must also include verification that the patch has been successfully applied and that the service is operating correctly without introducing regressions in functionality.