CVE-2021-27878
Published: April 7, 2023
Official Description
Veritas Backup Exec (BE) Agent contains a command execution vulnerability that could allow an attacker to use a data management protocol command to execute a command on the BE Agent machine.
CISA KEV Advisory
Veritas Backup Exec Agent Command Execution Vulnerability
Veritas Backup Exec (BE) Agent contains a command execution vulnerability that could allow an attacker to use a data management protocol command to execute a command on the BE Agent machine.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
A command execution vulnerability in Veritas Backup Exec (BE) Agent allows an attacker to execute commands on the agent machine. With an EPSS score of 0.06921 and its presence in CISA's KEV catalog, this vulnerability poses a significant and urgent risk of exploitation.
This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild and is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
Administrators should apply available patches or updates for Veritas Backup Exec Agent to prevent unauthorized command execution.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2021-27878 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2021-27878 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (2)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2021-27878 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1