CVE-2017-6399 in NetBackup
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Veritas NetBackup Before 7.7.2 and NetBackup Appliance Before 2.7.2. Privileged remote command execution on NetBackup Server and Client (on the server or a connected client) can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6399 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Veritas NetBackup server and client components across multiple versions. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the NetBackup architecture, specifically impacting systems running versions prior to 7.7.2 for the server and 2.7.2 for the appliance. The vulnerability allows attackers with network access to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on affected systems, potentially compromising the entire backup infrastructure. The flaw exists in the way the system handles remote administrative commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized access to critical backup operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a privilege escalation mechanism that occurs during remote command processing within the NetBackup service. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted commands to the NetBackup server or client services, which then execute with the privileges of the running service account. This typically operates at the system level, often requiring administrative privileges to successfully exploit, and can result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects both server and client components, meaning that an attacker who gains access to one component can potentially propagate the attack to connected systems. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and inadequate access control enforcement, creating a persistent security weakness in the backup and recovery infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6399 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of backup operations. Organizations utilizing affected NetBackup versions face potential data loss, system compromise, and disruption of critical backup processes that could render disaster recovery capabilities ineffective. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify backup configurations, delete critical backup data, or even inject malicious code into the backup environment, creating persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where NetBackup systems serve as central repositories for critical data, making this vulnerability a high-priority target for threat actors seeking to disrupt business operations or steal sensitive information. The impact is amplified by the fact that backup systems often contain comprehensive data sets including personal identifiable information, financial records, and proprietary corporate data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6399 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to supported releases that contain patches addressing the privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to NetBackup services, restricting remote administrative access to trusted networks and implementing strict firewall rules. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure that proper access controls are implemented for NetBackup services. Additionally, organizations should review and harden backup server configurations, disable unnecessary services, and implement multi-factor authentication for administrative access to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be enhanced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in backup infrastructure components.