1. Home
  2. System Vulnerabilities
  3. How to remediate – VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser Registration Request Remote …
Searching...

How to remediate – VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser Registration Request Remote …

Contents

1. Introduction

VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser Registration Request Remote Code Execution is a critical vulnerability affecting VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser. This flaw allows an attacker to run code on your systems, potentially taking complete control. Systems running affected versions of the agent are at risk. Successful exploitation could lead to loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability of data on the remote host.

2. Technical Explanation

The vulnerability is a buffer overflow in how VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser handles incoming requests. An attacker can send a specially crafted packet that overwrites memory, allowing them to execute arbitrary code. The CVE identifier for this issue is CVE-2004-1172.

  • Root cause: Insufficient bounds checking on input data received by the service.
  • Exploit mechanism: An attacker sends a malicious packet designed to overflow a buffer, overwriting adjacent memory with shellcode or redirecting execution flow. For example, sending an oversized request string could trigger the overflow.
  • Scope: Affected products include VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser on Windows platforms. Specific versions are not detailed in the provided information but should be checked against the vendor advisory.

3. Detection and Assessment

Confirming vulnerability requires checking the version of the installed agent. A thorough assessment involves network traffic analysis to identify potential exploitation attempts.

  • Quick checks: Check the application version in Windows “Add or Remove Programs”.
  • Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 16758 may detect this vulnerability, but results should be verified.
  • Logs and evidence: Examine VERITAS Backup Exec logs for unusual activity related to browser registration requests. Specific event IDs are not provided.
veritasbackupexeclogsbrowserregistration.log

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

Apply the patch released by VERITAS to address this vulnerability. Follow these steps carefully.

4.1 Preparation

  • Ensure you have administrative privileges to install software on the affected system. A roll back plan involves restoring from backup or snapshot.
  • A change window is recommended due to potential service interruption. Approval from a senior IT administrator may be needed.

4.2 Implementation

  1. Step 1: Download the patch for VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser from http://support.veritas.com/docs/273419.
  2. Step 2: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to apply the patch.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

No configuration changes are required prior to patching. The vulnerability exists in the agent's code itself.

After

The patched version of the agent will have updated code with improved buffer handling. Verify the version number after installation.

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Several security practices can help prevent this type of issue.

  • Practice 1: Least privilege – Run services with minimal necessary permissions to limit damage if exploited.
  • Practice 2: Input validation – Implement strict input validation on all incoming data to block malicious requests.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

# Example PowerShell script for patching (requires PSWindowsUpdate module)
# Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force
# Get-HotFix | Where-Object {$_.Description -like "*Backup Exec Agent Browser*"} # Check existing patches
# Install-HotFix -HotFixID {Patch ID from vendor} -ComputerName $env:COMPUTERNAME -Confirm:$false
# This is an example only. Adapt to your patching process and test thoroughly.

5. Verification / Validation

  • Post-fix check: Check the application version in Windows “Add or Remove Programs”. The version should be updated to a patched release.
  • Re-test: Run Nessus plugin ID 16758 again. It should no longer report the vulnerability.
  • Monitoring: Monitor VERITAS Backup Exec logs for errors related to browser registration requests. Look for any unexpected activity.
veritasbackupexeclogsbrowserregistration.log - check for successful registrations without errors.

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Update security baselines and implement regular patch management.

  • Baselines: Update your security baseline to include the latest patched version of VERITAS Backup Exec Agent Browser.
  • Asset and patch process: Implement a regular patch review cycle for all critical software, including VERITAS products.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Applying the patch may cause temporary service interruption. A roll back plan is essential.

  • Risk or side effect 1: Patch installation might briefly interrupt Backup Exec services. Schedule during a maintenance window.
  • Risk or side effect 2: In rare cases, patches can introduce compatibility issues with other software. Test in a non-production environment first.

8. References and Resources

  • Vendor advisory or bulletin: http://support.veritas.com/docs/273419
  • NVD or CVE entry: CVE-2004-1172
  • Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: No specific documentation provided. Refer to VERITAS support site for agent browser configuration details.
Updated on October 26, 2025

Was this article helpful?

Yes No

Related Articles