CVE-2017-17420 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 NVBUJobCountHistory Get 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-4231.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Quest NetVault Backup version 11.3.0.12 that exposes systems to remote code execution without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the NVBUJobCountHistory Get method implementation, where user-supplied strings are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw creates an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw occurs when the application processes requests containing user-provided data and constructs database queries using string concatenation rather than prepared statements or parameterized queries. This approach leaves the system susceptible to malicious input that can alter the intended query structure and execute arbitrary database commands. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue indicates that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Quest NetVault Backup systems, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the database context with the privileges of the database user account. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enabling full system compromise, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability especially severe, as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive backup data, modify backup configurations, or establish persistent access points within the organization's data protection infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to backup systems, and deploying database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous query patterns. The remediation approach should also include reviewing and hardening all database query implementations to enforce proper input validation and parameterization practices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1190 for exploit public-facing systems, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains to prevent successful exploitation attempts.