CVE-2019-18581 in Data Protection Advisor
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Data Protection Advisor versions 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 18.2 versions prior to patch 83, and 19.1 versions prior to patch 71 contain a server missing authorization vulnerability in the REST API. A remote authenticated malicious user with administrative privileges may potentially exploit this vulnerability to alter the application’s allowable list of OS commands. This may lead to arbitrary OS command execution as the regular user runs the DPA service on the affected system.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18581 affects Dell EMC Data Protection Advisor versions 6.3 through 6.5, 18.2 prior to patch 83, and 19.1 prior to patch 71, representing a critical server-side authorization flaw within the REST API interface. This weakness stems from insufficient validation of administrative privileges during API requests, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's command execution mechanism, allowing malicious users to manipulate the system's allowable list of operating system commands. The flaw falls under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables arbitrary command execution. The security implications are severe because the vulnerability requires only administrative authentication credentials rather than elevated system privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts might be compromised or where privilege escalation is possible through other attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the REST API interface where legitimate administrative users can modify the command execution policies of the Data Protection Advisor service. When an attacker with administrative privileges manipulates the system's allowable command list, they can effectively bypass the intended security boundaries that normally restrict which OS commands can be executed. This modification allows the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the user account running the DPA service, typically a regular user account with standard system permissions. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and privilege escalation within API endpoints, where the system fails to properly verify that the requesting user has appropriate authorization levels for the requested operations. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which authenticated administrators can be coerced or compromised into executing malicious commands, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-18581 extends beyond simple command execution capabilities, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance, data manipulation, and persistence activities within the target environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate their access to system-level operations, create persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive backup data managed by the Data Protection Advisor. The vulnerability affects backup and recovery systems specifically, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on their data protection infrastructure. Organizations with multiple instances of the affected software versions may face widespread compromise if administrative credentials are obtained through phishing, credential theft, or other attack vectors. The risk is amplified because the vulnerability affects multiple major versions of the software, suggesting a systemic design flaw that was not properly addressed in the affected release cycles, and the impact extends to both older and newer versions of the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18581 should prioritize immediate patch deployment, with Dell EMC releasing patches 83 for version 18.2 and patch 71 for version 19.1 to address the authorization flaw. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor administrative API usage for unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the REST API endpoints to trusted administrative networks only. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for administrative accounts, ensuring that only necessary personnel have access to the affected system's administrative functions. The implementation of web application firewalls and API monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent unauthorized command execution attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws in other system components, while incident response procedures should be updated to include detection and remediation of this specific vulnerability type. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular credential rotation to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to administrative functions.