CVE-2018-11168 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 26 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11168 affects Quest DR Series Disk Backup software prior to version 4.0.3.1 and represents a critical command injection flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of command injection attacks that have been consistently categorized by CWE-77 as weaknesses where user-controllable input is directly passed to system command interpreters without proper sanitization or validation. The specific issue manifests within the software's handling of user-supplied data that gets processed and executed as system commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over the backup infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Quest DR Series software architecture. When legitimate users or attackers provide specially crafted input through various interfaces, the software fails to properly sanitize or escape command parameters before incorporating them into system execution contexts. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass normal security controls and execute with the privileges of the affected service account. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because backup systems typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to critical system resources, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security postures. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of backup operations that are critical for business continuity.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11168 extends beyond simple command execution as it fundamentally undermines the integrity and confidentiality of backup operations within enterprise environments. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Quest DR Series software face significant risks including unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks where backup infrastructure resides. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can target systems without requiring physical access or local credentials, making detection and prevention more challenging. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as attackers can leverage the command injection to escalate privileges and maintain persistence within compromised environments. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that rely on automated backup processes, as attackers could potentially disrupt backup operations, corrupt backup data, or gain access to sensitive information stored in backup repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11168 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and restrict administrative interfaces from public exposure. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation at all application layers, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious command injection attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of backup infrastructure. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to backup systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other enterprise systems. Organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege controls for backup system accounts and regularly review access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with critical backup infrastructure components.