CVE-2018-11161 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 19 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11161 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 affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the software's handling of user-supplied input during backup operations, specifically in the way the system processes parameters passed to underlying system commands. The issue manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability where unvalidated user input is directly incorporated into system command execution contexts without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the backup software's command processing pipeline. When administrators or users configure backup operations, certain parameters are passed directly to system commands without proper filtering or encoding. This allows malicious actors to inject additional commands that will be executed with the privileges of the backup service account. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where backup software typically requires elevated permissions to perform disk operations, potentially granting attackers full control over the backup server and access to all backed-up data.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for organizations relying on Quest DR Series backup solutions. Attackers who exploit this command injection flaw can execute arbitrary code on the backup server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate backup functionality but also exposes the underlying infrastructure to broader security threats. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, backup data corruption, or complete system outages if attackers leverage this vulnerability to execute destructive commands. The impact extends beyond immediate data loss to include potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage from security breaches.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses where user-controllable data is used in system command construction without proper validation. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as command and scripting interpreter for execution and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges of backup services to execute malicious commands. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch version 4.0.3.1, implementing network segmentation to limit access to backup systems, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Additional protective measures include restricting administrative access to backup systems, implementing input validation controls, and conducting regular security assessments of backup infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.