Computer Associates BrightStor ARCserve Backup UniversalAgent Backdoor 
Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 02.10.05
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=198&type=vulnerabilities
February 10, 2005

I. BACKGROUND

BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11.1 delivers leading backup and restore 
protection for all classes of Windows, NetWare, Linux and UNIX servers, 
as well as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, UNIX, AS/400 and VMS client 
environments. 

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a design flaw in Computer Associates 
International Inc's BrightStor ARCserve Backup UniversalAgent for UNIX 
may allow execution of arbitrary code.

The vulnerability specifically exists due to hard coded credentials 
being left in the production release of the UniversalAgent for UNIX. An 
attacker may use the following credentials to gain full access to the 
remote file system and potentially execute arbitrary commands with 
permissions of the root user. 

Username: \x02root\x03 
Password: \x02<%j8U]`~+Ri\x03

III. ANALYSIS

The BrightStor software uses a network agent to perform backups on 
nodes across the network. Typically, the agent service requires either 
administrative credentials or a node-specific password and is capable 
of backing up files and remotely executing commands. The agent will 
listen on TCP and UDP ports 6051 by default and is installed on every 
node that the BrightStor server is configured to backup.

IV. DETECTION

Computer Associates BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11.1 for Linux and UNIX 
have been confirmed vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Employ firewalls, access control lists or other TCP/UDP restriction 
mechanism to limit access to the backup port on affected systems and 
services. The login credentials are sent in cleartext and may also be 
used to detect connections from attackers. 

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

The following vendor advisories are available for this issue:

BAB 7.0 Linux
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63672

BAB 9.0 Linux Japanese
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63673

BAB 9.0 Linux English
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63674

BEB 10.0 AIX
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63675

BEB 10.0 HPUX
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63676

BEB 10.0 Solaris
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63677

BEB 10.5 Tru64
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63678

BEB 10.5 HP
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63679

BEB 10.5 AIX
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63680

BEB 10.5 Solaris
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63681

BAB 11.1 Macintosh
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63682

BAB 11.1 Mainframe Linux
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63683

BAB 11.1 Tru64
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63684

BAB 11.1 Linux
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63685

BAB 11.1 HP
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63691

BAB 11.1 AIX
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63687

BAB 11.1 - Solaris
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63688

BEB 10.0 Mainframe Linux
http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/solcenter/solresults.jsp?aparno=QO63689

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not
been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

12/02/2004  Initial vendor notification
12/02/2004  Initial vendor response
02/10/2005  Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research 
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2005 iDEFENSE, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate 
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use 
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS 
condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. 
Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any 
direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, 
or reliance on, this information.