Vulnerability Note VU#492105

VERITAS Backup Exec Remote Agent fails to properly validate authentication requests

Overview

Backup Exec Remote Agent for Windows Servers contains a buffer overflow vulnerability due to incorrect validation on authentication requests.

I. Description

VERITAS Backup Exec is a data backup and recovery solution with support for over the network backup. The VERITAS Backup Exec Agent runs on systems to be backed up listening on TCP port 10000 and is responsible for accepting connections from the backup server when a backup is to occur.

The Backup Exec Remote Agent for Windows Servers contains a buffer overflow vulnerability due to incorrect validation on authentication requests, allowing a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

For more details on the vulnerability, see the iDefense security advisory:

http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=272&type=vulnerabilities

For information about affected software versions and patching please the VERITAS Software Security Advisory.

VERITAS Software has released information about this and five other security issues affecting VERITAS Backup Exec for Windows and Netware Servers. For more information about this specific vulnerability please see:

VX05-002

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/276604.htm

Information on the other vulnerabilities along with patch details can be found at:

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/277428.htm

NOTE: We are aware of publicly available exploit code circulating in the wild and have received credible reports of compromise. Additionally, we can confirm significant increases in the levels of network activity directed at TCP port 10000 from the evening of June 25, 2005.

II. Impact

A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on computers where the Remote Agent is installed and gain administrative control. As the Backup Exec Remote Agent may be running on workstations as well as servers, this vulnerability may provide greater opportunity for attack than the other vulnerabilities identified above.

III. Solution

Apply a patch from the vendor. See http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/276604.htm for details.

Workaround

Use firewalls to limit connectivity so that only the backup server(s) can connect to the systems being backed up. The standard port for this service is port 10000.

At minimum, some basic protection should be in effect at the network boundaries. Individual installations may operate on nonstandard ports, which should be taken into account when developing network traffic filtering rules.

Note: even if patching can be done quickly, the above workaround measures should be considered as part of a defense-in-depth strategy for protecting your systems.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Updated
Veritas SOFTWARE	Vulnerable	24-Jun-2005

References

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA05-180A.html
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/276604.htm
http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=272&type=vulnerabilities
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/277428.htm
http://securitytracker.com/alerts/2005/Jun/1014273.html

Credit

VERITAS Software in its advisory states:

"VERITAS Software appreciates the cooperation of Pedram Amini, iDEFENSE Labs in identifying this issue and coordinating with VERITAS Software in the resolution process."

This document was written by Robert Mead based on information in the VERITAS Software and iDefense advisories.

Other Information

Date Public	06/22/2005
Date First Published	06/24/2005 05:08:51 PM
Date Last Updated	07/22/2005
CERT Advisory
CVE Name	CAN-2005-0773
US-CERT Technical Alerts
Metric	39.91
Document Revision	18

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Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization
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