CVE-2018-11175 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 33 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11175 affects Quest DR Series Disk Backup software versions prior to 4.0.3.1 and represents a critical command injection flaw that falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection. This vulnerability manifests as a security weakness in how the software processes user input, specifically within its handling of command execution parameters. The flaw exists in the software's architecture where external input is not properly sanitized or validated before being passed to system commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of the affected service account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious commands through input fields that are subsequently processed by the backup software's command execution engine. When the software receives user-supplied data that contains command characters or sequences, it fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into system-level commands. This creates a pathway for remote code execution where an attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to the system, escalate privileges, or compromise the entire backup infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because backup systems often operate with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive data and system resources.
Operationally, this command injection vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Quest DR Series Disk Backup solutions. Attackers could exploit this flaw to execute malicious commands that might include data exfiltration, system modification, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as backup systems often serve as critical infrastructure components that may contain copies of sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate backup processes, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized data access, or complete system takeover. Organizations using affected versions face the risk of unauthorized access to their backup data and infrastructure, which could result in significant operational disruption and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11175 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Quest DR Series Disk Backup software to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to backup systems, and strict input validation should be enforced throughout the application's interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns and unusual system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their backup infrastructure and implement principle of least privilege access controls to minimize potential impact should exploitation occur. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems. Organizations should also review their backup and recovery procedures to ensure they can maintain operational continuity in case of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 for Valid Accounts, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains.