CVE-2019-4140 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Server (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) could allow a local user to replace existing databases by restoring old data. IBM X-Force ID: 158336.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4140 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Server versions 7.1 and 8.1, representing a critical local privilege escalation and data integrity issue within IBM Spectrum Protect infrastructure. This flaw enables authenticated local users to manipulate database restoration processes and potentially overwrite current database contents with older data, creating significant risks for data consistency and system integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and validation mechanisms during database restore operations, allowing malicious actors with local system access to exploit this weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the database management subsystem of the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Server where restore operations lack proper authentication checks and data validation. When a local user performs database restoration activities, the system fails to verify that the restored data originates from legitimate sources or that the operation maintains database integrity. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where local users can manipulate backup and restore mechanisms to overwrite current database contents with archived or older versions. The flaw essentially allows for unauthorized database replacement operations that can compromise the entire storage management infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations relying on IBM Spectrum Protect for their data storage management. The ability to replace databases with older data can result in data loss, compliance violations, and disruption of critical storage operations. Organizations may experience unauthorized modification of backup catalogs, loss of recent data changes, and potential system instability when database corruption occurs during restoration processes. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where local system access is not strictly controlled, as any user with local login privileges could exploit this weakness to manipulate the storage management system.
The security implications extend beyond simple data replacement to encompass broader system compromise risks within the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager ecosystem. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, as it demonstrates inadequate access controls and potential cryptographic weaknesses in database management operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1485 (Data Destruction) techniques, as it enables local users to escalate privileges and potentially destroy data integrity within the storage management system. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader security assessments for their backup and recovery infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-4140 should focus on immediate patch application from IBM, which addresses the access control deficiencies in database restore operations. System administrators must implement strict local access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have local login privileges to storage management servers. Network segmentation and privileged access management solutions should be deployed to limit local system access points. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular audit reviews of database restoration activities and implement monitoring controls to detect unauthorized database replacement operations. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of storage management systems should be performed to identify similar access control weaknesses. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for local system access and regular security training for administrators can further reduce the risk exposure associated with this vulnerability.