CVE-2017-17415 in NetVault Backup
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Quest NetVault Backup 11.3.0.12. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of NVBUPhaseStatus Count method requests. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to construct SQL queries. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the underlying database. Was ZDI-CAN-4226.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Quest NetVault Backup version 11.3.0.12 that operates without requiring any authentication credentials. The security issue stems from insufficient input validation within the NVBUPhaseStatus Count method request processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the system's database layer. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that attackers can exploit it remotely, eliminating the need for physical access or prior system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of user-supplied strings during SQL query construction, which directly violates established security principles and patterns classified under CWE-89 as SQL Injection. When the system processes the Count method requests, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters before incorporating them into database queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow. This lack of input validation creates a direct attack vector that enables arbitrary code execution within the database context, effectively granting attackers elevated privileges and system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the underlying database operations and potentially the entire backup infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate backup data, extract sensitive information, modify backup configurations, or even escalate their privileges to administrative levels within the system. The database context execution means that any malicious code injected through this vector can directly interact with the database schema, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized access to backup repositories, or complete system compromise.
Organizations utilizing Quest NetVault Backup 11.3.0.12 should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available version, network segmentation to restrict access to backup systems, and implementing robust input validation controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol usage and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, as the SQL injection nature of this vulnerability may generate detectable patterns in database query logs that can serve as early warning indicators of compromise.
The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing injection attacks, particularly in enterprise backup and recovery systems where the compromise of database integrity can have cascading effects on data protection and business continuity. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their backup infrastructure and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation of similar injection vulnerabilities across their entire technology stack.