CVE-2005-1018 in BrightStor ARCserve Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the UniversalAgent for Computer Associates (CA) BrightStor ARCserve Backup allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via an agent request to TCP port 6050 with a large argument before the option field.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1018 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the UniversalAgent component of Computer Associates BrightStor ARCserve Backup software. This security weakness exists specifically in the handling of agent requests sent to TCP port 6050, which serves as the primary communication channel for backup operations. The flaw manifests when an authenticated remote attacker crafts a malicious request containing an oversized argument value that precedes the option field in the protocol communication. Such malformed input causes the UniversalAgent process to exceed its allocated buffer space, leading to potential memory corruption and system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector requires remote authentication, meaning that an adversary must first establish valid credentials to access the backup system before exploiting this weakness. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the severity of the potential impact. The vulnerability operates at the application layer protocol level, specifically targeting the UniversalAgent daemon that manages backup operations and communicates over the designated TCP port.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential arbitrary code execution capabilities. When the buffer overflow occurs, the corrupted memory can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the UniversalAgent process. This privilege escalation scenario poses significant risks to backup infrastructure, as the UniversalAgent typically runs with elevated system privileges necessary for backup operations. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can effectively disrupt backup operations and data protection workflows, potentially leaving systems vulnerable to data loss during critical backup windows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1018 should prioritize immediate patch application from Computer Associates, as this vulnerability was addressed through software updates that implemented proper input validation and buffer size limits. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to TCP port 6050 to only authorized personnel and systems. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the UniversalAgent process with minimal required permissions rather than elevated system privileges. Additionally, network monitoring should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns on port 6050 that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1499 (Endpoint Termination) as it enables both code execution and service disruption. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other network services and applications. Organizations should also implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed protocol requests that could indicate attempts to exploit this and similar vulnerabilities.