CVE-2018-11155 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 13 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11155 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within Quest DR Series Disk Backup software affecting versions prior to 4.0.3.1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which occurs when an application incorporates user-supplied data into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The specific issue manifests in the software's handling of input parameters that are subsequently passed to operating system commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability impacts the backup and recovery operations of enterprise environments that rely on Quest DR Series appliances for their data protection infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this command injection vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account. This typically occurs when user input is directly concatenated into system commands without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the system, escalate privileges, execute malicious code, or manipulate backup operations to compromise data integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where backup systems often have elevated privileges and access to critical data repositories. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and disruption of backup operations that are fundamental to business continuity.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Quest DR Series appliances for their backup infrastructure. The attack surface is broad as the command injection can occur during various backup operations, configuration changes, or administrative tasks within the software interface. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, system compromise, or disruption of backup services that could lead to extended downtime and potential data loss. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that backup systems are often considered trusted components within networks, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access or privilege escalation. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where backup systems are not adequately segmented or monitored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11155 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and enforce least privilege principles for backup operations. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as commands. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to backup systems. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential command injection vulnerabilities in their backup infrastructure and related systems. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating backup procedures to ensure that administrative tasks are performed with appropriate security controls in place. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to command and control operations and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures.