High severity8.8CISA KEVNVD Advisory· Published Mar 1, 2021· Updated Jun 17, 2026
CVE-2021-27878
CVE-2021-27878
Description
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.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected products
3cpe:2.3:a:veritas:backup_exec:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 1 more
- cpe:2.3:a:veritas:backup_exec:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*range: <21.2
- (no CPE)range: <21.2
- Veritas/Backup Execdescription
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
3- packetstormsecurity.com/files/168506/Veritas-Backup-Exec-Agent-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlnvdExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/security/VTS21-001nvdVendor Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalognvdUS Government Resource
News mentions
1- Ransomware Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures in a Shifting Threat LandscapeMandiant Threat Intelligence · Mar 16, 2026