CVE-2016-8214 in Avamar Data Store
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Avamar Data Store (ADS) and Avamar Virtual Edition (AVE) versions 7.3.0 and 7.3.1 contain a vulnerability that may allow malicious administrators to compromise Avamar servers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8214 affects EMC Avamar Data Store and Avamar Virtual Edition systems running versions 7.3.0 and 7.3.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables malicious administrative actors to compromise Avamar server environments. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of these data protection platforms, which are widely deployed for enterprise backup and recovery operations. The flaw specifically targets the administrative interface and privilege escalation pathways that govern access to critical system functions, creating an avenue for unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary commands on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient privilege checking within the administrative console components of the Avamar platforms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious administrative requests that bypass normal authentication procedures, potentially allowing them to assume administrative roles without proper credentials. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through flawed authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that Avamar systems typically handle sensitive enterprise data, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure.
The operational implications of CVE-2016-8214 extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as compromised Avamar servers can provide attackers with extensive capabilities to manipulate backup data, disrupt recovery operations, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive information. Since Avamar systems often serve as primary backup repositories for enterprise environments, a successful exploitation could result in complete data loss or corruption, as attackers could modify or delete backup archives. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the backup infrastructure, potentially allowing them to maintain access even after initial compromise is detected and remediated. This risk is exacerbated by the fact that backup systems are often less monitored than primary production systems, providing attackers with stealthy persistence mechanisms.
Organizations utilizing affected Avamar versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches, restricting administrative access through network segmentation, and implementing strict monitoring of administrative activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 adversary tactic for local privilege escalation and T1566 for credential harvesting through compromised administrative accounts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access, regular privilege reviews, and comprehensive audit logging of administrative activities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of timely patch management for enterprise backup systems and demonstrates how weaknesses in data protection infrastructure can create significant security risks across entire organizational environments.