CVE-2016-2007 in Data Protector
Summary
by MITRE
HPE Data Protector before 7.03_108, 8.x before 8.15, and 9.x before 9.06 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, aka ZDI-CAN-3354.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2007 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting HPE Data Protector software across multiple version ranges including 7.03_108 and earlier, 8.x versions before 8.15, and 9.x versions before 9.06. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of unauthenticated remote code execution flaws that can be exploited by attackers without requiring any valid credentials or prior access to the system. The issue was disclosed through the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under the CAN number 3354, indicating that it was a previously unknown vulnerability that had been discovered and reported by security researchers. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass multiple potential entry points or methods of exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the HPE Data Protector application. This class of vulnerability typically manifests when the software fails to properly sanitize or validate data received from external sources, allowing malicious inputs to be interpreted and executed as commands within the application context. The flaw likely exists in the communication protocols or data processing mechanisms used by the backup and recovery software, potentially affecting the underlying operating system or application services. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized under CWE-77 and CWE-78, representing improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution and command injection respectively, which are fundamental weaknesses in software security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected HPE Data Protector versions. Remote attackers could gain complete control over the affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to critical backup infrastructure. The implications extend beyond simple code execution as attackers could manipulate backup operations, corrupt data, or even use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of backup systems, which are critical components of disaster recovery and business continuity planning. Organizations could face significant regulatory compliance issues, financial losses, and reputational damage if such vulnerabilities are exploited successfully. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the backup software, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate backup schedules, access sensitive data stored in backup repositories, or even disable backup operations to prevent recovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2007 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates released by HPE. Organizations must also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the backup infrastructure. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), highlighting the potential for attackers to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. Regular security awareness training for administrators and system operators is also essential to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might accompany exploitation efforts. Organizations should also implement robust backup verification procedures and maintain offline backup copies to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation.