CVE-2018-11146 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 4 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11146 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within Quest DR Series Disk Backup software affecting versions prior to 4.0.3.1. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of user-supplied input within command execution contexts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The issue is classified as part of a broader set of 46 vulnerabilities within the same software family, with this particular flaw being the fourth in the sequence, indicating a pattern of security weaknesses that require comprehensive remediation.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Quest DR Series backup software. When legitimate users provide input to certain functions within the software interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as command delimiters or operators. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass normal security controls and execute with the privileges of the backup software process. The vulnerability typically manifests when the software processes user-provided parameters in shell commands, creating a direct execution path from user input to system command processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Quest DR Series for their backup operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this command injection flaw can gain unauthorized access to the backup server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of backup operations. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data and may serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web interfaces, API calls, or direct interaction with the backup software components, making it particularly dangerous in environments where backup systems are accessible from multiple entry points.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to Quest DR Series version 4.0.3.1 or later, which includes patches addressing the command injection flaw. Additional mitigation strategies should include network segmentation to limit access to backup systems, implementing strict input validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish robust incident response procedures for backup system compromises. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories related to command injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in command lines, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving command and control through system execution and privilege escalation.