CVE-2017-5808 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5808 represents a critical remote arbitrary code execution flaw within HPE Data Protector software, affecting versions prior to 8.17 and 9.09. This security weakness resides in the backup and recovery solution that organizations rely upon to protect their critical data assets, making it particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's network communication protocols, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized code on affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of network requests and data processing within the Data Protector console and agent components. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted malicious payloads to the targeted system, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, representing legitimate credentials for lateral movement and privilege escalation. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account, which often operates with elevated system permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5808 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with persistent access to enterprise backup infrastructure. Organizations utilizing HPE Data Protector for critical data protection may face severe consequences including data exfiltration, system compromise, and disruption of backup operations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. This flaw directly impacts the integrity and availability of backup systems, potentially leaving organizations vulnerable to ransomware attacks or data destruction scenarios where backup restoration becomes impossible.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 8.17 or 9.09, which contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to Data Protector management interfaces, limiting exposure to untrusted networks. Organizations should also conduct thorough network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced for Data Protector service accounts, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar weaknesses in the broader IT infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and proper input validation mechanisms in enterprise backup solutions.