CVE-2017-17653 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 NVBUBackupOptionSet 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-4286.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
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 inadequate input validation within the NVBUBackupOptionSet Get method implementation, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw creates an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially allowing full compromise of the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection attack pattern where attacker-controlled input flows directly into database query execution paths. When the Get method processes requests containing malicious input, the application fails to validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. This allows an attacker to append additional SQL commands that may include data extraction, modification, or deletion operations, ultimately enabling code execution with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on Quest NetVault Backup for their data protection infrastructure. Since no authentication is required to exploit this flaw, attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these backup systems are exposed to external networks. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise as successful exploitation can lead to complete database takeover, enabling attackers to exfiltrate sensitive backup data, modify backup configurations, or even corrupt backup repositories. This vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of critical backup operations that organizations depend upon for disaster recovery and business continuity.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning to identify vulnerable systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch or update that addresses the input validation issues in the NVBUBackupOptionSet Get method. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to backup infrastructure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed and hardened to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the backup application, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the backup infrastructure.