CVE-2015-0530 in NetWorker
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in an unspecified function in nsr_render_log in EMC NetWorker before 8.0.4.3, 8.1.x before 8.1.2.6, and 8.2.x before 8.2.1.2 allows local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0530 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the nsr_render_log component of EMC NetWorker software across multiple version ranges. This flaw exists in an unspecified function within the rendering log module, which processes and displays log information generated by the NetWorker backup and recovery system. The affected versions include EMC NetWorker 8.0.4.2 and earlier, 8.1.2.5 and earlier, and 8.2.1.1 and earlier, making this a widespread issue affecting organizations relying on legacy NetWorker implementations. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically impacts local users who can exploit this condition to escalate their privileges within the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the nsr_render_log function, which fails to properly validate input data length before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. When local users provide maliciously crafted input to the logging mechanism, the function allows data to overflow into adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program variables, return addresses, or other sensitive data structures. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The exploitation of such flaws typically enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, which in this case would be the NetWorker service running with elevated system permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0530 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security weakness that can be leveraged for further attacks within the compromised environment. Local users who can access the NetWorker service or its logging functionality can potentially gain administrative privileges, allowing them to modify backup configurations, access sensitive data, or even establish persistent backdoors within the backup infrastructure. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where NetWorker systems often run with elevated privileges and maintain access to critical backup data across multiple systems. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this affects multiple version streams, indicating a fundamental flaw in the codebase that was not properly addressed across the product lifecycle, and the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring network access or specialized external conditions.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to EMC NetWorker versions 8.0.4.3, 8.1.2.6, or 8.2.1.2, respectively, which contain the necessary patches to address this buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of the nsr_render_log component and review access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their NetWorker installations and implement network segmentation to limit potential exploitation paths, while also considering the broader implications of this vulnerability for backup and recovery systems that often serve as critical infrastructure components in enterprise environments.