CVE-2015-6549 in NetBackup OpsCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in an application console in the server in Symantec NetBackup OpsCenter before 7.7.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2018
The CVE-2015-6549 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Symantec NetBackup OpsCenter server console, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.7.1. This vulnerability resides in the application console component of the NetBackup OpsCenter system, which serves as a centralized management interface for backup operations and system monitoring. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the integrity of the backup management environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be exploited to manipulate backup operations, access sensitive configuration data, or escalate privileges within the management console.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the server console's web interface components. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can leverage this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve form submissions, parameter manipulation, or direct injection into console interface elements. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data before rendering it in web responses, making it a classic server-side XSS flaw that operates in the context of the authenticated user session. This allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute malicious code within the browser of legitimate users who interact with the compromised console interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6549 is substantial for organizations relying on Symantec NetBackup OpsCenter for their backup infrastructure management. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify backup configurations, or even inject commands that could compromise backup data integrity. The vulnerability particularly threatens environments where multiple administrators access the same console, as a compromised session could provide attackers with access to all backup operations and potentially sensitive backup data. Organizations using the affected versions face risks of data exfiltration through backup operations, unauthorized system modifications, and potential lateral movement within their backup infrastructure. The attack surface expands when considering that backup management interfaces often contain sensitive information about system configurations, backup schedules, and data access patterns that could aid further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6549 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Symantec NetBackup OpsCenter installations to version 7.7.1 or later, as this represents the primary defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS patterns, enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and regular security assessments of the management console interface. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all backup management interfaces and implement monitoring for suspicious activities within the backup environment. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patch deployment does not disrupt existing backup operations while maintaining the security posture of the overall backup infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication for backup management console access to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the vulnerable interface.