CVE-2018-11158 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 16 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11158 vulnerability affects Quest DR Series Disk Backup software versions prior to 4.0.3.1 and represents a critical command injection flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of command injection attacks as classified by CWE-77, which occurs when an application incorporates user-supplied data into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The specific issue manifests within the software's handling of input parameters that are subsequently passed to operating system commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over the backup infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects backup systems that typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to critical organizational data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the software fails to properly sanitize user inputs that are later incorporated into system commands executed by the backup process. Attackers can craft malicious input strings that, when processed by the vulnerable software, result in unintended command execution on the underlying operating system. This flaw likely exists in the software's web interface or API endpoints where user-provided parameters are directly used in shell commands without adequate filtering or encoding mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive backup data, modify backup configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as a command injection issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which describes the execution of system commands through various interfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Quest DR Series backup solutions, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The backup infrastructure often contains sensitive organizational data and operates with high-privilege accounts, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to backup repositories, potential data corruption, or complete system takeover scenarios that could disrupt business continuity operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that backup systems are often overlooked in security assessments and may lack proper network segmentation or monitoring controls. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and evaluate the potential for attackers to use compromised backup systems as launch points for broader network infiltration activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11158 should prioritize immediate software patching to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which addresses the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and establish strict access controls that restrict who can interact with the backup infrastructure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of backup systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise tools. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual backup activities can help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing backup infrastructure, which should be treated with the same security rigor as primary production systems. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for backup operations and ensure that backup systems are regularly updated and maintained with current security patches.