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CVE-2021-27878

KEVRansomware UseVeritas 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.

An issue was discovered in Veritas Backup Exec before 21.2. The communication between a client and an Agent requires successful authentication, which is typically completed over a secure TLS communication. However, due to a vulnerability in the SHA Authentication scheme, an attacker is able to gain unauthorized access and complete the authentication process. Subsequently, the client can execute data management protocol commands on the authenticated connection. The attacker could use one of these commands to execute an arbitrary command on the system using system privileges.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
PublishedMar 1, 2021
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVApr 7, 2023
Remediation dueApr 28, 2023
    86
    Risk assessment · Critical

    Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

    Exploitation
    Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
    Federal remediation deadline
    Overdue by 1277 days
    Ransomware
    Used in known ransomware campaigns
    CVSS
    8.8 HIGH
    EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
    24.0% · top 2% of all CVEs
    Weakness
    NVD-CWE-noinfo
    Attack vector
    Network, remotely reachable
    1. 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
    2. 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
    3. 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
    4. 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
    5. 5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.

    Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.