CVE-2006-5142 in BrightStor ARCserve Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CA BrightStor ARCserve Backup R11.5 client and server allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long messages to the CheyenneDS Mailslot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5142 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within CA BrightStor ARCserve Backup version 11.5 affecting both client and server components. This vulnerability specifically targets the CheyenneDS Mailslot functionality which serves as a communication mechanism for the backup software. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing incoming messages through this mailslot interface, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the message handling routines of the ARCserve Backup software. When the system receives a message through the CheyenneDS Mailslot, it fails to adequately verify the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates over network communications, enabling remote exploitation without requiring local access to the target system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on CA BrightStor ARCserve Backup for their data protection infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain arbitrary code execution privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or disruption of backup operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries need only send specially crafted messages to the targeted mailslot port to initiate exploitation, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for networked backup environments. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire backup infrastructures and data availability.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental software security flaw. This weakness is also mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected mailslot ports, deploying network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious message patterns, and applying the vendor-provided patches immediately. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual communication patterns on the specific mailslot ports used by the CheyenneDS service to identify potential exploitation attempts.