CVE-2018-11166 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 24 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11166 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within Quest DR Series Disk Backup software, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.0.3.1. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure input handling and represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on backup infrastructure. The issue is classified as a command injection vulnerability where malicious actors can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system through improperly sanitized input parameters. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in backup systems as they often operate with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive organizational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied input within the software's command processing mechanisms. When legitimate users or attackers provide malicious input through specific API endpoints or administrative interfaces, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the backup software process, which typically runs with administrative or root-level permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web interfaces, API calls, and potentially automated scripts that target the backup infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11166 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with potential full system control over backup servers. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The backup environment serves as a critical component for disaster recovery, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers who may seek to disable backup capabilities or manipulate backup data to facilitate further attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access points within the network, as backup systems are often overlooked in security monitoring and may contain credentials or access information for other systems. This aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as command and control, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-supplied patch version 4.0.3.1, which addresses the input validation issues that enable this command injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of backup systems to untrusted networks, while comprehensive monitoring should be deployed to detect suspicious command execution patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their backup infrastructure and review access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with backup systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in CWE-77 and CWE-89 categories, which emphasize the need for proper sanitization of user inputs to prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, regular security assessments, and incident response procedures specifically tailored for backup system compromises to mitigate the risk of exploitation.