CVE-2024-35204
📋 TL;DR
Veritas System Recovery versions before 23.3_Hotfix have insecure folder permissions that allow low-privileged users to modify or access sensitive files. This vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers with basic user access can gain higher system privileges. Organizations using affected Veritas backup software are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Veritas System Recovery
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers with low privileges could gain SYSTEM/administrator access, install malware, steal backup data, or compromise the entire system.
Likely Case
Internal users or compromised accounts escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to backup files and system resources.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to attempted privilege escalation that can be detected and blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires low-privileged user access but is technically simple once access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 23.3_Hotfix or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/security/VTS24-005
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Veritas System Recovery 23.3_Hotfix or later from Veritas support portal. 2. Run the installer with administrative privileges. 3. Follow installation wizard. 4. Restart the system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Veritas folder permissions
windowsManually adjust folder permissions to restrict access to authorized users only.
icacls "C:\Program Files\Veritas\System Recovery" /inheritance:r /grant:r "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized file modifications in Veritas folders.
- Segment networks to limit access to systems running Veritas System Recovery to authorized personnel only.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Veritas System Recovery version in Control Panel > Programs and Features. If version is below 23.3_Hotfix, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wmic product where name="Veritas System Recovery" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 23.3_Hotfix or later and check folder permissions for 'C:\Program Files\Veritas\System Recovery' to ensure only administrators have full control.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Security logs showing unauthorized access attempts to Veritas folders
- File modification events in Veritas System Recovery directories by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from systems running vulnerable Veritas software
SIEM Query:
EventID=4663 AND ObjectName LIKE '%Veritas%System Recovery%' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN ('SYSTEM', 'Administrators')