CVE-2012-0395 in NetWorker
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the server in EMC NetWorker 7.5.x and 7.6.x before 7.6.3 SP1 Cumulative Release build 851 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0395 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the server component of EMC NetWorker software versions 7.5.x and 7.6.x prior to 7.6.3 SP1 Cumulative Release build 851. This issue affects enterprise backup and recovery solutions widely deployed in corporate environments, creating significant security implications for organizations relying on EMC's data protection platforms. The buffer overflow occurs in the server daemon process that handles network communications and backup operations, making it a prime target for remote exploitation by threat actors seeking to disrupt critical data services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the server's network handling routines, where maliciously crafted data packets can overflow predetermined buffer boundaries. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially manipulate program execution flow. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the network protocol implementation could be exploited, including various backup request formats, authentication mechanisms, or configuration parameters that the server processes without proper bounds checking.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a dual threat to affected organizations as it can be leveraged for both denial of service attacks that crash the NetWorker daemon and more severe exploitation scenarios that may allow arbitrary code execution. The daemon crash scenario would immediately disrupt backup operations and data protection services, potentially leaving organizations vulnerable during critical recovery windows. The arbitrary code execution capability represents a more serious threat where attackers could gain persistent access to backup servers, potentially escalating privileges to system level access and using the compromised backup infrastructure as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The impact extends beyond immediate service disruption to include potential data exfiltration through compromised backup systems, particularly concerning in environments where backup servers contain sensitive or privileged information.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of EMC NetWorker 7.6.3 SP1 Cumulative Release build 851 or later versions that contain the necessary patches addressing this buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to backup server ports and services until patches are deployed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, indicating potential for lateral movement and persistence once exploited. System administrators should monitor for unusual network traffic patterns, daemon restarts, and unauthorized access attempts to backup services, while also implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that backup operations continue to function correctly while eliminating the security risk posed by this buffer overflow vulnerability.