CVE-2017-6400 in NetBackup
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Veritas NetBackup Before 7.7.2 and NetBackup Appliance Before 2.7.2. Privileged command execution on NetBackup Server and Client can occur (on the local system).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6400 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Veritas NetBackup server and client components prior to versions 7.7.2 and 2.7.2 respectively. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the NetBackup software ecosystem, creating opportunities for unauthorized users to execute privileged commands on affected systems. The vulnerability exists at the core of NetBackup's command processing architecture where insufficient sanitization allows malicious input to be interpreted as legitimate administrative commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a command injection flaw that occurs when the NetBackup server or client processes user-supplied input without proper validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted commands that bypass normal access controls and execute with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the system level where legitimate administrative functions can be invoked through malformed input sequences, effectively allowing attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user accounts to system administrator level access. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that aligns with CWE-264, which categorizes issues related to permissions and access control failures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6400 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When exploited successfully, attackers can execute arbitrary code with root privileges, allowing them to modify system configurations, install malware, or extract sensitive backup data. The vulnerability affects both server and client components, creating a broader attack surface that can be leveraged to compromise entire backup infrastructures. Organizations relying on NetBackup for critical data protection may face severe consequences including regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and operational disruption. The attack vector typically involves network-based exploitation where remote attackers can craft malicious requests to the NetBackup service.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of vendor-provided patches and updates to reach supported versions 7.7.2 for NetBackup Server and 2.7.2 for NetBackup Appliance. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to NetBackup services, enforce strict access controls, and monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of updated systems to ensure no regression in functionality while maintaining proper backup and recovery procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network access control lists, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical backup infrastructure. The issue falls under ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through exploit of remote services, emphasizing the need for proper access control and privilege management in enterprise backup environments.