CVE-2018-11185 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows command injection (issue 43 of 46).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11185 vulnerability affects Quest DR Series Disk Backup software versions prior to 4.0.3.1 and represents a critical command injection flaw that resides within the software's handling of user-supplied input. This vulnerability is classified as a command injection issue and specifically relates to the fourth of forty-six identified problems within the software's security framework. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters that are subsequently used in command execution contexts, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands into the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Quest DR Series Disk Backup software. When legitimate users or attackers provide specially crafted input through the software's interface or API endpoints, the system processes these inputs without adequate sanitization before incorporating them into system commands. This allows an attacker to append malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the software process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a level where the software interacts directly with the operating system shell, bypassing traditional application-level security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Quest DR Series Disk Backup for their data protection infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this command injection flaw can execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of backup operations. The vulnerability's presence in backup software is particularly concerning because backup systems often contain sensitive data and may have elevated privileges within the network environment. This makes the attack surface more attractive for lateral movement and persistence within the network infrastructure.
The security implications extend beyond immediate system compromise, as this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories that specifically address command injection flaws in software systems. Organizations using affected versions face potential exploitation through various attack vectors including web interface manipulation, API calls, or direct input injection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage system command execution capabilities to achieve their objectives. Remediation efforts must include immediate patch deployment to version 4.0.3.1 or later, along with network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and privilege separation can help mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in other components of the backup infrastructure.
Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for backup and recovery systems, which often serve as critical infrastructure components in enterprise environments. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include evaluation of input validation mechanisms within backup software to prevent similar command injection vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions.