CVE-2007-4347 in Backupexec System Recovery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the Job Engine (bengine.exe) service in Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers (BEWS) 11d build 11.0.7170 and 11.0.6.6235 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU and memory consumption) via a crafted packet to port 5633/tcp, which triggers an infinite loop.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4347 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers version 11d, specifically within the Job Engine component known as bengine.exe. This service operates on TCP port 5633 and serves as the core processing engine for backup operations, making it a prime target for exploitation. The flaw manifests as multiple integer overflows that occur during packet processing, creating a condition where malformed input can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management routines. These integer overflows are particularly dangerous because they can lead to memory corruption and subsequent system instability, representing a fundamental breakdown in input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that are essential for secure software operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of integer overflow conditions within the Job Engine service's packet handling logic. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted packet to the designated port 5633, the service fails to properly validate the integer values contained within the packet headers. This validation failure allows the attacker to manipulate the integer variables in such a way that they overflow beyond their maximum representable values, causing the application to enter an infinite loop. The overflow conditions specifically affect the service's ability to process job requests properly, leading to continuous resource consumption as the system attempts to handle the malformed data. The resulting denial of service impacts both CPU utilization and memory consumption, effectively rendering the backup service unavailable to legitimate users while consuming excessive system resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Symantec Backup Exec for their data protection infrastructure. The infinite loop condition triggered by the integer overflows causes sustained high CPU usage and memory consumption, effectively denying service to legitimate backup operations and potentially impacting other critical system functions. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices related to inadequate input validation and insufficient boundary checking. Organizations with backup systems running affected versions of Symantec Backup Exec face substantial operational risk, as the service interruption can lead to backup failures and potential data loss scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and denial of service categories, specifically targeting service availability through resource exhaustion. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt business operations. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate the backup infrastructure from critical systems, while also applying immediate patches provided by Symantec to address the integer overflow conditions in the bengine.exe service. The recommended mitigation strategy involves not only applying the vendor-supplied security patches but also implementing network access controls to restrict access to port 5633 to only trusted sources, thereby reducing the attack surface and limiting potential exploitation opportunities. Additionally, monitoring for unusual CPU and memory consumption patterns on backup servers can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in complete service disruption.