CVE-2017-5807 in Data Protector
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Arbitrary Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Data Protector version prior to 8.17 and 9.09 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5807 represents a critical remote arbitrary code execution flaw affecting HPE Data Protector software versions prior to 8.17 and 9.09. This vulnerability resides within the backup and recovery solution that organizations rely upon to protect their critical data assets, making it particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The flaw enables attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems remotely without requiring authentication, fundamentally compromising the security posture of organizations that depend on this data protection platform. The vulnerability impacts both the 8.x and 9.x release lines, indicating it was present across multiple generations of the software, suggesting a systemic issue in the codebase that required significant remediation efforts. This type of vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by allowing unauthorized remote code execution, which aligns with CWE-94, the weakness category for "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The attack surface is particularly dangerous because HPE Data Protector is typically deployed in enterprise environments where it has access to sensitive organizational data, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for data confidentiality and integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the Data Protector application. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable software, trigger unintended code execution within the context of the application's privileges. This typically occurs through manipulation of network protocols or API endpoints that the software uses for communication and data processing. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, meaning an attacker can run any command or program on the affected system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it eliminates the need for credentials or access to the system, allowing for wide-scale attacks against organizations that have not updated their Data Protector installations. The nature of the flaw suggests it may be related to buffer overflows, injection attacks, or improper validation of network requests, all of which are common attack vectors that fall under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and T1105 for "Remote File Copy." These attack techniques are frequently leveraged in post-exploitation phases where attackers seek to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within compromised networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5807 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that organizations place in their backup and recovery systems. When an attacker can execute arbitrary code on a Data Protector server, they gain access to the entire backup infrastructure, potentially allowing them to exfiltrate backup data, corrupt backup repositories, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other network segments. The vulnerability's presence in both major release lines of HPE Data Protector means that organizations across different deployment scenarios were at risk, including those using older versions that may not have received regular updates or those in environments where patching cycles are extended. This vulnerability can lead to significant business disruption, data loss, and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in industries governed by data protection regulations such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors. Organizations may face substantial financial losses due to potential data breaches, system downtime, and the costs associated with forensic investigations and remediation efforts. The vulnerability also exposes organizations to potential ransomware attacks, where attackers could encrypt backup data alongside production systems, effectively eliminating recovery options and forcing organizations into costly ransom negotiations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5807 require immediate action to upgrade to patched versions of HPE Data Protector, specifically versions 8.17 and 9.09 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate Data Protector servers from general network traffic and restrict access to only authorized personnel. Security controls should include monitoring for unusual network activity on the ports used by Data Protector services and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, applying network access controls, and ensuring that all systems are running the latest security patches. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that might be running vulnerable versions of the software or similar products. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated software in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility and prevent service disruptions. Security teams must also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential exploitation of this vulnerability and establish protocols for rapid response to any suspected compromise. Regular security awareness training for administrators and system operators should emphasize the importance of timely patch management and the potential consequences of running vulnerable software in enterprise environments.