CVE-2020-36167: veritas backup_exec

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-36167 is a critical (CVSS 9.3) vulnerability in veritas backup_exec. EPSS estimates a 0.48% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 40.1% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 06-01-2021
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 04-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

An issue was discovered in the server in Veritas Backup Exec through 16.2, 20.6 before hotfix 298543, and 21.1 before hotfix 657517. On start-up, it loads the OpenSSL library from the Installation folder. This library in turn attempts to load the /usr/local/ssl/openssl.cnf configuration file, which may not exist. On Windows systems, this path could translate to <drive>:\usr\local\ssl\openssl.cnf. A low privileged user can create a :\usr\local\ssl\openssl.cnf configuration file to load a malicious OpenSSL engine, resulting in arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM when the service starts. This gives the attacker administrator access on the system, allowing the attacker (by default) to access all data, access all installed applications, etc. If the system is also an Active Directory domain controller, then this can affect the entire domain.

• CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous TypeThe product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.