CVE-2015-1953 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-2015-1948, 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-2015-1953 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 remote connections and processing requests from client systems. The buffer overflow occurs when the server receives malformed input data through network communications, specifically in the handling of data structures that are processed on the stack memory region. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector, meaning that an unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness from outside the target network without requiring any prior access credentials or privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the FastBack server daemon. When processing incoming network requests, the system fails to properly bounds-check data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate network communication channels, making it difficult to distinguish between malicious and benign traffic patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily as a denial of service condition where the FastBack server daemon crashes and becomes unavailable to legitimate users. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow corrupts the stack memory structure, causing the daemon process to terminate abruptly and requiring manual intervention for system recovery. This disruption affects backup and recovery operations that depend on the FastBack service, potentially leading to extended downtime for critical data protection functions. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for their backup infrastructure, particularly those operating in environments where continuous availability of backup services is essential for business continuity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address this specific buffer overflow condition. The IBM security advisory for this vulnerability recommends upgrading to FastBack version 6.1.12 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to prevent the stack buffer overflow. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the FastBack server to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual connection patterns or potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the Tactic of Execution and the Technique of Exploitation of Remote Services, making it a significant concern for enterprise security operations and incident response procedures.