CVE-2018-11151 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 9 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11151 vulnerability affects Quest DR Series Disk Backup software prior to version 4.0.3.1, representing a critical command injection flaw that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability manifests as an issue within the software's handling of user input, specifically when processing commands that should be properly sanitized and validated before execution. The flaw exists in the software's command processing pipeline, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed with elevated privileges. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to backup systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of critical backup operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as a command injection weakness, which is a well-documented and frequently exploited category of security flaws in enterprise software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the software fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass input validation mechanisms, allowing them to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system. This typically involves injecting command delimiters or special characters that cause the software to interpret additional commands beyond the intended functionality. The vulnerability affects the software's ability to properly isolate user input from system execution contexts, creating a direct pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain full control over the backup infrastructure. Given that backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data, successful exploitation can result in comprehensive data compromise across the enterprise environment. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through legitimate software interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11151 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can severely disrupt backup operations and compromise data integrity within organizations relying on Quest DR Series solutions. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially delete or corrupt backup data, modify backup schedules, or even create persistent backdoors within the backup infrastructure. The affected systems may experience unauthorized access to sensitive backup repositories, leading to potential data breaches that could violate regulatory compliance requirements such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss. Organizations may face significant downtime during incident response activities, as compromised backup systems require thorough forensic analysis and remediation. The vulnerability's presence in backup software creates a particularly dangerous attack surface since backup systems are often considered trusted components within enterprise security architectures. This flaw can enable attackers to maintain persistence across system reboots and backups, making detection and remediation more challenging. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that backup systems typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to critical organizational data, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking long-term access to enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11151 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes to prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and restrict administrative privileges to only authorized personnel. Input validation controls should be strengthened at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization and regular security audits of command execution paths. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments targeting backup infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise systems. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for personnel managing backup systems can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for command injection patterns in backup system communications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in enterprise backup solutions.