CVE-2011-0546 in Backup Exec
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Backup Exec 11.0, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, and 13.0 R2 does not validate identity information sent between the media server and the remote agent, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute NDMP commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0546 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec Backup Exec software versions 11.0 through 13.0 R2. This issue stems from the improper validation of identity information exchanged between the media server and remote agent components within the backup infrastructure. The flaw creates a significant attack surface that enables malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against the NDMP (Network Data Management Protocol) communications used for backup operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of the widely deployed Backup Exec solution, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise backup environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of proper authentication and identity verification mechanisms within the NDMP communication channel. When the media server and remote agent establish connections for backup operations, they exchange identity information that should be validated to ensure legitimate communication. However, the affected Symantec Backup Exec versions fail to properly validate this information, allowing attackers who can intercept network traffic to impersonate either component. This weakness specifically impacts the NDMP protocol implementation within the backup software, where the authentication process is insufficiently robust. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic example of weak credential handling in network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of backup operations and data integrity. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can execute arbitrary NDMP commands, potentially gaining full control over backup processes and access to backed-up data. This capability allows for data exfiltration, backup data manipulation, and disruption of critical backup operations that organizations rely on for disaster recovery. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations with complex backup infrastructures where multiple media servers and remote agents communicate across networks, as the attack vector becomes more accessible when network traffic can be intercepted or manipulated. The impact is further amplified because backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data, making this a high-value target for both external attackers and insider threats.
Organizations affected by CVE-2011-0546 should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate backup infrastructure from general network traffic, deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect unusual NDMP traffic patterns, and implementation of secure communication channels where possible. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Symantec Backup Exec that properly implement identity validation for NDMP communications. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all instances of affected software and ensure that proper network access controls are in place. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through network protocol manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as encrypted communication channels and regular security assessments of backup infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms in backup and recovery systems, where compromised integrity can lead to complete data loss or unauthorized access to sensitive organizational information.