CVE-2016-0213 in Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack 5.5 and 6.1.x through 6.1.11.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0212 and CVE-2016-0216.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0213 represents a stack-based buffer overflow condition within IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack versions 5.5 and 6.1.x through 6.1.11.1. This critical security flaw resides in the daemon process responsible for managing storage operations and backup functions within enterprise storage environments. The vulnerability specifically affects the software's handling of input data structures that are processed through stack-based memory operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the FastBack daemon processes incoming data that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests in the daemon's processing of unspecified input vectors that are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed through stack-based memory operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against the affected IBM Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack services. The successful exploitation results in daemon crashes that can severely impact storage management operations, potentially causing data backup failures, service interruptions, and operational downtime for enterprises relying on these critical storage infrastructure components. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system. This vulnerability specifically impacts organizations using Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack versions in production environments where backup and recovery operations are essential for business continuity.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption, as the daemon crash can potentially leave storage systems in an inconsistent state, requiring manual intervention for recovery operations. Organizations utilizing these storage management solutions face significant operational risks including data protection gaps during backup windows and potential cascading failures in their storage infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation or firewall rules to protect against exploitation, as the attack can originate from any network location with access to the affected service ports.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0213 should include immediate application of IBM security patches and updates specifically addressing this buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts and establish robust incident response procedures for handling daemon crashes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional layers of protection such as intrusion detection systems and network access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499 technique for network denial of service, emphasizing the importance of protecting critical infrastructure services from remote exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar stack-based buffer overflow conditions within the organization's broader technology stack.