ZDI-10-185: IBM TSM FastBack Server _Eventlog Format String Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-185
September 29, 2010

-- CVSS:
10, (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C)

-- Affected Vendors:
IBM

-- Affected Products:
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager

-- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9965. 
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

    http://www.tippingpoint.com

-- Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Fastback.
Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the FastBack server process
(FastBackServer.exe) which listens by default on TCP port 11406. The
process searches received packet data for a pipe character (0x7c) and
then sends the remaining portion of the string to the event log without
sanitization. By providing a specially crafted string with format
specifiers this can be leveraged to trigger a format string
vulnerability which can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context
of the server process.

-- Vendor Response:
IBM states:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21443820
Issue 2

-- Disclosure Timeline:
2010-01-06 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2010-09-29 - Coordinated public release of advisory

-- Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
    * Sebastian Apelt (www.siberas.de)

-- About the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI):
Established by TippingPoint, The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) represents 
a best-of-breed model for rewarding security researchers for responsibly
disclosing discovered vulnerabilities.

Researchers interested in getting paid for their security research
through the ZDI can find more information and sign-up at:

    http://www.zerodayinitiative.com

The ZDI is unique in how the acquired vulnerability information is
used. TippingPoint does not re-sell the vulnerability details or any
exploit code. Instead, upon notifying the affected product vendor,
TippingPoint provides its customers with zero day protection through
its intrusion prevention technology. Explicit details regarding the
specifics of the vulnerability are not exposed to any parties until
an official vendor patch is publicly available. Furthermore, with the
altruistic aim of helping to secure a broader user base, TippingPoint
provides this vulnerability information confidentially to security
vendors (including competitors) who have a vulnerability protection or
mitigation product.

Our vulnerability disclosure policy is available online at:

    http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/disclosure_policy/

Follow the ZDI on Twitter:

    http://twitter.com/thezdi