CVE-2013-4676 in Backup Exec
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Symantec Backup Exec 2010 R3 before 2010 R3 SP3 and 2012 before SP2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving a (1) custom-reports generation page, (2) Storage Devices creation page, or (3) jobs creation page in the management console; or (4) a Backup Exec server-management page in the beutility console.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4676 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Symantec Backup Exec software versions prior to specific service pack releases. This weakness resides in the management console and beutility console components of the backup solution, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability impacts both the 2010 R3 version and its subsequent service pack releases, as well as the 2012 version before SP2, indicating a widespread issue within the Symantec Backup Exec product line that required immediate attention from security professionals and system administrators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through four distinct attack vectors that all involve manipulation of user input within the web-based management interfaces. The first vector targets the custom-reports generation page where unvalidated input can be injected, while the second vector affects the Storage Devices creation page, allowing attackers to insert malicious code during device configuration. The third vector operates through the jobs creation page in the management console, where job definitions can be manipulated to include harmful scripts. The fourth and final vector targets the Backup Exec server-management page within the beutility console, providing another pathway for malicious input injection. These vectors collectively demonstrate a design flaw in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web interfaces of the backup management software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates potential for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to backup systems. Attackers could leverage these XSS flaws to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially gaining access to sensitive backup data, system configurations, or administrative functions. The implications are particularly severe given that backup systems often contain critical organizational data and may have elevated privileges within network environments. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter usage through web-based attacks.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management processes, ensuring all affected Symantec Backup Exec installations receive the appropriate service packs that address these vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while conducting thorough security assessments of their backup infrastructure to identify any other potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly encoding output in web applications, particularly in enterprise software that handles sensitive data and system administration functions. Additional mitigations may include web application firewalls, browser security controls, and regular security awareness training for administrators who interact with these management interfaces on a regular basis.