CVE-2015-1965 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-2015-1963, and CVE-2015-1964.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1965 represents a stack-based buffer overflow affecting IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 6.1 before version 6.1.12. This critical flaw resides within the server component of the FastBack storage management solution, which is designed for backup and recovery operations in enterprise environments. The vulnerability manifests as a remote attack vector that can be exploited by unauthorized users to trigger a denial of service condition, causing the daemon process to crash and potentially disrupting critical data protection services. Unlike other related vulnerabilities in the same product line such as CVE-2015-1924 through CVE-2015-1964, this specific issue presents distinct exploitation mechanisms that require careful analysis of the software's memory management practices and input validation routines.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the server's processing logic, where malicious input data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the allocated bounds of a stack buffer. Attackers can craft specific payloads that, when processed by the FastBack server, cause the program counter to be overwritten or corrupt critical stack metadata, leading to unpredictable behavior including program termination. The vulnerability's remote nature indicates that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the service may be exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1965 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the integrity of backup operations and potentially expose organizations to data loss scenarios. When the FastBack daemon crashes, it can interrupt ongoing backup processes, prevent new backup jobs from initiating, and leave the storage environment in an inconsistent state. Organizations relying on Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for critical data protection may experience significant downtime, particularly in environments where automated backup schedules are essential for compliance and business continuity. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that attackers can repeatedly exploit it to maintain persistent service disruption, potentially leading to extended periods of unavailability for backup and recovery services that organizations depend upon for disaster recovery planning.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade 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 untrusted networks, while firewall rules can be configured to restrict access to the specific ports used by the FastBack daemon service. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual connection spikes or malformed data submissions. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of the same or similar vulnerabilities within their Tivoli Storage Manager installations, as the presence of one vulnerability often indicates potential for additional security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Defense Evasion, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to maintain persistent access or disrupt services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive patch management and network monitoring strategies to address such threats effectively.