CVE-2017-8895 in Backup Exec
Summary
by MITRE
In Veritas Backup Exec 2014 before build 14.1.1187.1126, 15 before build 14.2.1180.3160, and 16 before FP1, there is a use-after-free vulnerability in multiple agents that can lead to a denial of service or remote code execution. An authenticated attacker can use this vulnerability to crash the agent or potentially take control of the agent process and then the system it is running on.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8895 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Veritas Backup Exec versions 2014 through 16, specifically impacting multiple agent components that handle backup and recovery operations. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the backup agent processes, where freed memory blocks are still being accessed or referenced by subsequent operations. The flaw exists in the way the software manages dynamic memory allocation and deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption patterns that can result in unpredictable behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through compromised system processes. When an authenticated attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the backup agent's memory management to cause the process to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the agent process. The exploitation typically involves crafting malicious input or data that triggers the faulty memory handling, leading to either denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate backup operations or more severe remote code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as backup agents often run with elevated privileges and have access to critical system resources and data. When compromised, these agents can provide attackers with persistent access points within the backup infrastructure, potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the network. The vulnerability affects not just individual backup operations but entire backup environments, as agents are typically deployed across multiple systems and network segments. Organizations relying on Veritas Backup Exec for their data protection strategies face significant risk of unauthorized access, data compromise, and system control when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8895 require immediate patch application from Veritas, addressing the specific memory management flaws in the affected backup agents. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and restrict authentication credentials to only necessary personnel. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for abnormal backup agent behavior, implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution, and establishing robust backup integrity verification processes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of backup infrastructure, as these systems often represent high-value targets for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise networks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for backup system access and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to backup system compromises.