CVE-2018-11170 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 28 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11170 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 broader category of command injection attacks that exploit improper input validation in applications processing user-supplied data. The specific issue manifests as a command injection vulnerability in the software's handling of certain input parameters, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the application running the backup software. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly impacts backup and recovery systems that are often considered critical infrastructure components within enterprise environments. These systems typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive data and system resources, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters within the software's command processing mechanisms. When the backup software processes user-provided data, particularly in contexts where commands are constructed dynamically, it fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended command execution flow. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the context of the backup application. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses command injection flaws where user-controllable data is inserted into system commands without proper validation or escaping. The attack surface is particularly broad because backup systems often require extensive system interaction capabilities to perform their functions, including access to file systems, network protocols, and system utilities. The affected Quest DR Series software operates in environments where it may be exposed to untrusted inputs from various sources, including network-based attacks or compromised user accounts that have access to backup management interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with significant privileges to manipulate backup operations and access sensitive data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially modify backup schedules, delete backup data, or even gain access to the underlying storage systems that the backup software manages. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where backup systems contain critical business data and may be configured with elevated system privileges. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059, this vulnerability enables adversaries to execute commands through various interfaces including command-line interfaces, which can lead to further system compromise and lateral movement within the network. The backup infrastructure often serves as a critical component in disaster recovery planning, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could prevent legitimate backup operations while enabling malicious data manipulation. Organizations may find their backup systems compromised, leading to potential data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or complete system disruption during critical recovery scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11170 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to backup systems and restrict administrative privileges to only necessary personnel. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced throughout the backup infrastructure, with particular attention to how user-supplied data is processed and integrated into system commands. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to backup systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in applications handling system-level commands, and emphasizes the need for regular security assessments of backup and recovery systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious inputs and conducting regular security audits of backup infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response procedures specifically tailored for backup system compromises, ensuring rapid detection and remediation of any exploitation attempts.