CVE-2018-11190 in DR Series Disk Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Quest DR Series Disk Backup software version before 4.0.3.1 allows privilege escalation (issue 2 of 6).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The CVE-2018-11190 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation 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 access control weaknesses and directly impacts the security posture of backup systems that rely on this software. The issue is classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability, which means that an attacker with limited access rights could potentially elevate their privileges to gain administrative or root-level access to the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in backup environments where sensitive data is stored and processed, as it could allow unauthorized individuals to access, modify, or exfiltrate critical backup data.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation flaw stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms within the Quest DR Series software. The vulnerability likely exists in how the software handles user authentication and authorization processes, potentially allowing local users or attackers with minimal privileges to exploit a logic flaw or improper access control checks. This weakness enables unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted to privileged users only. From a cybersecurity perspective, such vulnerabilities are categorized under CWE-276, which deals with incorrect access control, and may also align with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions that could be exploited for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in enterprise environments where backup systems often contain sensitive data from multiple applications and databases, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11190 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of backup operations. Organizations using affected versions of Quest DR Series software face significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential data corruption, and the possibility of attackers using elevated privileges to manipulate backup processes or access backup repositories. This vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security controls that protect backup data, potentially allowing them to restore malicious files to production systems, modify backup schedules, or even delete backup data to facilitate ransomware attacks. The attack vector typically involves local exploitation where an attacker already has some level of access to the system but seeks to elevate their privileges to gain full administrative control. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers privilege escalation, and could also involve T1078 for valid accounts and T1486 for data encryption for ransom.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11190 require immediate action to update the Quest DR Series software to version 4.0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and prioritize patching based on risk exposure. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to backup systems, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Regular security audits of backup environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper access controls are maintained. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege controls, ensuring that backup system users have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required functions, thereby reducing the potential impact of privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all enterprise backup solutions, as backup systems often serve as primary targets for advanced persistent threats due to their access to valuable organizational data.