CVE-2006-0995 in Retrospect
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Dantz Retrospect 7 backup client 7.0.107, and other versions before 7.0.109, and 6.5 before 6.5.138 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (client termination and loss of backup service) via a malformed packet to TCP port 497, which triggers an assert error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0995 affects EMC Dantz Retrospect backup software versions prior to specific patched releases, representing a significant security flaw that could severely impact backup operations and data protection infrastructure. This issue resides within the backup client component of the Retrospect suite, specifically targeting version 7.0.107 and earlier, as well as version 6.5 and earlier versions before 6.5.138. The vulnerability manifests through a carefully crafted malformed packet sent to TCP port 497, which serves as the primary communication port for Retrospect client-server operations. The flaw represents a classic example of input validation failure that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt critical backup services.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a malformed packet that triggers an assert error within the Retrospect client application. An assert error typically represents a condition that should never occur during normal operation, indicating that the software encountered unexpected data or state that it cannot handle gracefully. When such an error occurs in a backup client context, it results in the immediate termination of the client process and subsequent loss of backup service functionality. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions, though the specific manifestation here involves assertion failures rather than traditional memory corruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only a single malformed packet to be sent to the designated TCP port, making it easily exploitable by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as backup clients are fundamental components of enterprise data protection strategies. When the client terminates unexpectedly, organizations face immediate loss of backup service, potentially leaving critical data unprotected and creating gaps in their disaster recovery procedures. The denial of service condition affects not just the immediate backup operations but can cascade into broader system issues, particularly in environments where multiple backup clients are managing critical data repositories. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-impact method for disrupting backup services, which aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service. Organizations relying on Retrospect for backup operations would experience immediate operational disruption, potentially leading to extended periods without backup coverage and increased risk of data loss.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patches, specifically versions 7.0.109 and 6.5.138, which address the malformed packet handling issue through improved input validation and error handling mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected Retrospect client installations, particularly those running in mission-critical environments where backup service availability is paramount. Network-level protections can include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to TCP port 497 from untrusted networks, though this approach provides only partial protection as the vulnerability can be exploited from within the network perimeter. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns on the backup port and establish incident response procedures for rapid recovery from such service disruptions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date backup software and implementing proper security controls around backup infrastructure, as these systems often represent critical components of enterprise security postures.