CVE-2007-5328 in BrightStor ARCServe BackUp
Summary
by MITRE
The Message Engine RPC service in CA BrightStor ARCServe BackUp v9.01 through R11.5, and Enterprise Backup r10.5, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by using certain "insecure method calls" to modify the file system and registry, aka "Privileged function exposure."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5328 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Message Engine RPC service of CA BrightStor ARCServe Backup software across multiple versions. This vulnerability stems from insecure method calls that expose privileged functions directly to remote attackers, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The affected software versions include BrightStor ARCServe Backup v9.01 through R11.5 and Enterprise Backup r10.5, indicating this flaw has persisted across a significant product lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Message Engine RPC service failing to properly validate method calls received from remote clients. When attackers send specific RPC requests containing insecure method calls, the service processes these requests without adequate authentication or authorization checks, allowing direct manipulation of the underlying file system and registry. This exposure of privileged functions bypasses normal security controls and creates a direct attack vector for remote code execution. The flaw essentially transforms a legitimate service interface into an attack surface capable of executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the service account, which typically operates with elevated system permissions.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations relying on CA BrightStor ARCServe Backup for their data protection infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this flaw can gain complete control over backup servers, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of backup operations. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as attackers can modify critical backup configurations, corrupt backup data, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where backup servers are accessible from external networks. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-264, which describes permissions, privileges, and access control vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through insecure method calls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by CA Technologies, as well as network segmentation to isolate backup servers from untrusted networks. Organizations should implement strict firewall rules limiting RPC service access to trusted administrative hosts only, and consider disabling the Message Engine RPC service if it is not actively required. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual RPC activity and conducting regular security assessments of backup infrastructure are recommended practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in service implementations, particularly for backup and recovery systems that often operate with elevated privileges due to their essential role in system operations.