CVE-2015-1963 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-2015-1962, CVE-2015-1964, and CVE-2015-1965.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1963 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the server component of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack version 6.1 prior to 6.1.12. This vulnerability exists in the daemon process that handles remote connections and processing requests from client systems. The flaw manifests when the server receives specially crafted input data that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers to cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking within the server's input processing routines. When remote clients send malformed or oversized data packets to the FastBack server, the application fails to validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, and other critical control data structures. The vulnerability specifically affects the daemon process that manages backup and recovery operations, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise storage environments where availability is critical.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability directly enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the FastBack server infrastructure. Successful exploitation results in daemon crashes that require manual intervention to restore service, potentially disrupting critical backup operations and data protection workflows. Organizations relying on Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for their data recovery processes face significant risk of service interruption during peak backup windows when the daemon instability could compound existing operational pressures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to trigger the condition, making it particularly attractive for malicious actors targeting enterprise storage infrastructure.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-1963 centers on applying the official IBM security patch released as part of the 6.1.12 maintenance update. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this patch across all affected FastBack server installations to eliminate the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the FastBack server to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual connection patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in enterprise storage systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches for enterprise storage solutions, as outdated systems remain exposed to known exploitation vectors. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular security assessments, automated patch deployment, and continuous monitoring of security advisories from vendors like IBM. The cumulative impact of multiple related vulnerabilities in the same product family underscores the need for thorough security reviews and proactive remediation strategies to protect against cascading security failures in complex enterprise environments.