CVE-2011-0647 in Replication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The irccd.exe service in EMC Replication Manager Client before 5.3 and NetWorker Module for Microsoft Applications 2.1.x and 2.2.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the RunProgram function to TCP port 6542.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0647 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the EMC Replication Manager Client software ecosystem. This issue affects multiple versions including EMC Replication Manager Client versions prior to 5.3 and NetWorker Module for Microsoft Applications versions 2.1.x and 2.2.x. The vulnerability specifically targets the irccd.exe service which operates on TCP port 6542, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw resides in the service's handling of the RunProgram function, which processes commands without proper input validation or authentication mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or command injection pattern where the RunProgram function fails to sanitize user input before processing. Attackers can establish connections to TCP port 6542 and submit malicious payloads through the RunProgram interface, bypassing normal authentication procedures. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS Command Injection, and represents a significant weakness in the service's privilege management and input validation controls. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the service level, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the running service, which typically includes elevated system permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on EMC replication solutions, particularly those with unpatched systems exposed to external networks. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, lateral movement within networks, and potential disruption of critical backup and replication operations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through the execution of malicious payloads, potentially enabling long-term surveillance or further compromise of adjacent systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, highlighting the potential for privilege escalation and persistent access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching affected systems to EMC Replication Manager Client version 5.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to TCP port 6542, limiting connections to only trusted internal systems. Additionally, monitoring should be enabled to detect unusual activity on port 6542 and anomalous command execution patterns. System hardening practices including disabling unnecessary services, implementing principle of least privilege, and regular security assessments should be conducted to reduce the overall attack surface. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by threat actors.