CVE-2015-2864 in Retrospect Client
Summary
by MITRE
Retrospect and Retrospect Client before 10.0.2.119 on Windows, before 12.0.2.116 on OS X, and before 10.0.2.104 on Linux improperly generate password hashes, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain access to backup files by leveraging a collision.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2864 affects Retrospect and Retrospect Client software across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This security flaw resides in the password hash generation mechanism used by these backup applications, creating a significant authentication bypass opportunity for remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 10.0.2.119 on Windows, 12.0.2.116 on macOS, and 10.0.2.104 on Linux, indicating a widespread issue affecting the software's core authentication infrastructure. The flaw stems from improper cryptographic implementation that allows attackers to exploit hash collisions, fundamentally weakening the security posture of backup systems that rely on these applications for data protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves weak cryptographic practices in the password hashing algorithm used by Retrospect software. When users create passwords for backup access, the system generates cryptographic hashes that should provide strong security guarantees. However, the flawed implementation produces predictable hash values that can be manipulated through collision attacks, where different inputs produce identical hash outputs. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions. The vulnerability creates a scenario where attackers can leverage hash collisions to bypass authentication mechanisms without needing to know the actual passwords, making the attack surface significantly broader than typical credential guessing approaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2864 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to backup files, potentially compromising entire backup infrastructures and sensitive data repositories. Organizations relying on Retrospect for their backup operations face substantial risk of data exposure, as attackers can gain access to critical backup data without proper authorization. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprises and organizations that store sensitive information in backup systems, as the authentication bypass allows for complete access to backup files and potentially the underlying data they contain. The remote attack vector means that adversaries do not need physical access to systems or network proximity, enabling attacks from any location with network connectivity to the affected backup infrastructure. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage for persistence and privilege escalation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to patched versions that address the cryptographic implementation flaws in password hash generation. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Retrospect and Retrospect Client installations across their network infrastructure, particularly focusing on systems containing sensitive or critical backup data. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and implement remediation procedures as quickly as possible. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling unauthorized access to backup systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and highlights the need for regular security assessments of authentication mechanisms in enterprise backup solutions, particularly those handling sensitive organizational data. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring of backup system activities to reduce the overall risk exposure from such vulnerabilities.