CVE-2015-1962 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-2015-1953, CVE-2015-1954, 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-2015-1962 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 allocated on the stack memory segment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to exploit the flaw without requiring authentication or prior access to the system, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on this backup and recovery solution. The affected component operates as a critical service that manages storage operations and data protection workflows, making any instability in this daemon potentially disruptive to business continuity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the server's input validation routines. When processing network requests containing oversized or malformed data payloads, the application fails to adequately verify the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic programming error creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or causing the daemon process to terminate unexpectedly. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow affects the program's call stack, which can lead to unpredictable behavior including crashes, memory corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory layout and the nature of the overflow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can severely disrupt backup and recovery operations that organizations depend upon for data protection. When the FastBack server daemon crashes due to this buffer overflow, it can result in interrupted backup jobs, failed recovery operations, and potential data loss scenarios. Organizations using this software for critical data protection workflows face significant risk of service disruption during peak backup periods or when automated backup schedules are triggered. The vulnerability affects the reliability and availability of storage management services, potentially leaving systems vulnerable to data loss during critical maintenance windows or disaster recovery scenarios. Additionally, the daemon crash can generate error logs and system alerts that may overwhelm monitoring systems and complicate troubleshooting efforts during security incidents.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch for IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1.12 or later versions that address this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the FastBack server to untrusted networks while maintaining necessary administrative access for authorized personnel. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual daemon crash patterns or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a potential entry point for attackers following the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their storage management infrastructure and ensure proper network access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to critical backup services.