CVE-2008-3287 in Retrospect Backup Client
Summary
by MITRE
retroclient.exe in EMC Dantz Retrospect Backup Client 7.5.116 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via malformed packets to TCP port 497, which trigger a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3287 affects the EMC Dantz Retrospect Backup Client version 7.5.116 where the retroclient.exe component fails to properly validate incoming network traffic on TCP port 497. This daemon process is responsible for handling backup operations and communication with backup servers, making it a critical component in the backup infrastructure. The flaw manifests when malformed packets are sent to the designated port, causing the application to crash and resulting in a denial of service condition that disrupts backup operations for affected systems.
This vulnerability represents a classic null pointer dereference issue that falls under CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software applications. The technical flaw occurs because the retroclient.exe process does not implement proper input sanitization or validation mechanisms for network packets received on port 497. When maliciously crafted data arrives at this port, the application attempts to access a null pointer reference without proper null checks, leading to an unhandled exception that terminates the process. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system on the specified port.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it compromises the reliability and availability of backup operations within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on EMC Dantz Retrospect Backup Client for their data protection strategies face potential data loss scenarios if backup processes are repeatedly interrupted by this denial of service condition. The vulnerability affects the overall security posture by creating an attack surface that could be exploited to disrupt business continuity operations, particularly in environments where regular backup schedules are critical for disaster recovery planning. System administrators may experience unexpected backup failures and potential data integrity issues if this vulnerability is not addressed promptly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3287 should focus on immediate network-level protections combined with software updates. Organizations should implement firewall rules to restrict access to TCP port 497 from unauthorized networks, effectively blocking external access to the vulnerable service. Additionally, applying the official EMC patch or upgrading to a newer version of the Retrospect Backup Client that addresses this null pointer dereference vulnerability is essential. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, requiring defensive measures such as network segmentation and proper application input validation. Regular security assessments should verify that all backup client services are properly patched and that network access controls are appropriately configured to prevent unauthorized access to backup infrastructure components.