CVE-2015-1949 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 with SYSTEM privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1949 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack version 6.1 prior to 6.1.12. This security weakness resides in the server component of the storage management solution, which is designed to provide backup and recovery capabilities for enterprise environments. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with SYSTEM privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system. Such a privilege escalation represents a severe threat to enterprise data integrity and system security, particularly given the critical nature of backup and recovery systems within organizational infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified attack vectors within the FastBack server implementation, suggesting potential flaws in input validation, authentication mechanisms, or command processing functions. These unspecified vectors could encompass buffer overflows, injection flaws, or improper access controls that allow unauthenticated remote exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw indicates that attackers can leverage network-based attacks without requiring physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such systems are typically exposed to network traffic. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that can lead to various code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1949 extends beyond simple system compromise, as the SYSTEM privileges granted to attackers enable complete control over the affected server. This includes the ability to modify or delete backup data, access sensitive information stored in backup repositories, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. Organizations relying on FastBack for their backup operations face significant risks including data loss, data corruption, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability's presence in a backup system creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers could not only compromise current data but also gain access to historical backup data, undermining the entire purpose of backup and recovery systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of IBM's security patches and updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1.12 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the FastBack server to only necessary network segments, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their backup infrastructure and implement principle of least privilege access controls for FastBack server components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise storage management solutions, as backup systems often serve as prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access to organizational data. The incident underscores the necessity of following security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of vulnerability management and secure system configuration.