CVE-2019-25608 in Backup
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2026
Iperius Backup 6.1.0 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privilege users to execute arbitrary programs with elevated privileges by creating backup jobs. Attackers can configure backup jobs to execute malicious batch files or programs before or after backup operations, which run with the privileges of the Iperius Backup Service account (Local System or Administrator), enabling privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25608 resides within Iperius Backup version 6.1.0, presenting a critical privilege escalation flaw that fundamentally compromises system security. This vulnerability exploits the backup job configuration mechanism to allow low-privilege users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, creating a dangerous attack vector that directly violates the principle of least privilege. The flaw specifically manifests when backup jobs are configured to execute pre- or post-backup operations, which are then executed with the privileges of the Iperius Backup Service account, typically operating at Local System or Administrator level.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of backup job parameters that accept executable paths or scripts. When a low-privilege user creates a backup job and specifies a malicious batch file or executable as part of the pre- or post-backup operations, the system executes this code with elevated privileges. This design flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability, categorized under CWE-269 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which deals with improper privileges allocation. The vulnerability directly enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute malicious code with system-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once exploited, attackers can install persistent backdoors, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially move laterally within a network environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Iperius Backup is often deployed in enterprise environments where it may run with elevated privileges to perform backup operations, making the service account a prime target for exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the exploitation of legitimate credentials and privileges for system access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-25608 should focus on immediate patching of the Iperius Backup software to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and user permissions to limit who can create or modify backup jobs within the Iperius Backup environment. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the Iperius Backup service with minimal required privileges rather than Local System accounts. Additionally, monitoring and logging of backup job configurations should be implemented to detect unauthorized modifications. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the need for regular security assessments of backup and recovery systems, particularly those with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of known vulnerabilities and reduce the window of exposure for such privilege escalation attacks.