CVE-2008-3290 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 a series of long packets containing 0x00 characters to TCP port 497 that trigger memory corruption, probably involving an English product version on a Chinese OS version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3290 affects the EMC Dantz Retrospect Backup Client version 7.5.116, specifically targeting the retroclient.exe daemon component. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests through malformed network traffic directed at TCP port 497, which serves as the default communication port for the backup client's network services. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in input validation where the application fails to properly handle specially crafted packets containing null byte sequences, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash and denial of service.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves sending a sequence of network packets containing 0x00 characters to the targeted TCP port 497, which triggers a memory corruption condition within the retroclient.exe process. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and more specifically aligns with CWE-122, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption when the application attempts to process data without adequate bounds checking. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt backup operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as backup systems represent critical infrastructure components for data recovery and business continuity. When the retroclient.exe daemon crashes, it interrupts backup operations and potentially leaves systems in an inconsistent state where backup data may become unavailable or corrupted. The vulnerability's manifestation is particularly complex due to its dependency on specific environmental conditions, specifically requiring an English product version running on a Chinese operating system version. This environmental specificity suggests the issue may stem from locale-specific string handling or character encoding differences that create unexpected behavior when processing null byte sequences in network communications.
The attack vector for this vulnerability follows standard remote exploitation patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1499 technique for network denial of service attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through unauthenticated network connections to TCP port 497, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where backup services are exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack capability means that organizations with exposed backup services may be at risk without proper network segmentation or firewall controls. Security practitioners should consider implementing network-based mitigations such as restricting access to TCP port 497 through firewalls or network access control lists to prevent unauthorized exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as EMC would have released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate backup services from untrusted networks and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns targeting TCP port 497. The vulnerability's environmental dependency suggests that system administrators should carefully monitor for unusual backup service behavior and maintain updated security patches for all system components. Additionally, implementing proper network monitoring and logging for backup service communications can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in service disruption, while maintaining regular backups of system configurations and security policies to ensure rapid recovery capabilities in case of successful exploitation.