CVE-2008-5415 in ARCserve Backup
Summary
by MITRE
The LDBserver service in the server in CA ARCserve Backup 11.1 through 12.0 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a handle_t argument to an RPC endpoint in which the argument refers to an incompatible procedure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5415 affects the LDBserver service component within CA ARCserve Backup versions 11.1 through 12.0 running on Windows operating systems. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that stems from improper handling of RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoint arguments within the backup software's server infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the service processes a handle_t argument that references an incompatible procedure, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper input validation within RPC processing mechanisms. The flaw occurs at the interface level where the LDBserver service receives RPC requests and processes handle_t parameters that should reference valid procedures within the service's interface definition. When an attacker crafts a malicious RPC request with an incompatible handle_t argument, the service fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before executing the referenced procedure, leading to potential memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, which encompasses exploitation of remote services through RPC interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where backup servers typically operate with elevated privileges and network accessibility.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5415 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise entire backup infrastructures that often contain sensitive organizational data. Since CA ARCserve Backup servers frequently serve as central points for data protection and recovery operations, successful exploitation could enable attackers to access backup data, modify backup configurations, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the backup infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need not have physical access to the system or be within the local network, as the RPC endpoints can be accessed from external networks, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments. Organizations using affected versions of CA ARCserve Backup face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, especially since backup servers often contain credentials and data from multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates, as CA released patches specifically addressing this RPC handling flaw in subsequent versions of their software. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the LDBserver service RPC endpoints, limiting exposure to only trusted internal networks and authorized management systems. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual RPC traffic patterns and unauthorized access attempts can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary RPC services and implementing principle of least privilege configurations for the backup service accounts to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameter checking in RPC implementations, highlighting that even well-established backup solutions can contain critical flaws that require regular security assessments and updates to maintain operational security posture.