CVE-2017-8856 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Veritas NetBackup 8.0 and older versions, as well as NetBackup Appliance 3.0 and older versions, are vulnerable to unauthenticated and arbitrary remote command execution through the 'bprd' process.

Understanding CVE-2017-8856

This CVE involves a critical security issue in Veritas NetBackup and NetBackup Appliance that allows attackers to execute commands remotely without authentication.

What is CVE-2017-8856?

The 'bprd' process in Veritas NetBackup 8.0 and earlier, and NetBackup Appliance 3.0 and earlier, enables unauthorized individuals to execute commands from a remote location without proper authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8856

This vulnerability poses a severe risk as attackers can exploit it to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8856

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The 'bprd' process in Veritas NetBackup versions 8.0 and below, as well as NetBackup Appliance versions 3.0 and below, lacks proper authentication controls, allowing malicious actors to execute commands remotely.

Affected Systems and Versions

Veritas NetBackup 8.0 and earlier versions
NetBackup Appliance 3.0 and earlier versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the 'bprd' process, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-8856 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Veritas to address the vulnerability promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to critical systems.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate system administrators and users about secure configuration practices and the importance of timely updates.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Veritas and apply patches as soon as they are released to mitigate the risk of exploitation.