CVE-2022-36617 in Arq Backup
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2022
Arq Backup 7.19.5.0 and below stores backup encryption passwords using reversible encryption. This issue allows attackers with administrative privileges to recover cleartext passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36617 affects Arq Backup versions 7.19.5.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how the application handles encryption password storage. This weakness stems from the implementation of reversible encryption mechanisms for backup encryption passwords, which fundamentally undermines the security posture of the backup system. The flaw represents a significant deviation from established cryptographic best practices where sensitive credentials should be protected using non-reversible encryption or hashing mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access even when attackers gain administrative control over the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's use of reversible encryption algorithms to store backup encryption passwords within its configuration files or database structures. This approach allows attackers who have achieved administrative privileges on the system to extract the encrypted passwords and subsequently decrypt them to obtain cleartext credentials. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through the use of reversible encryption, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers the exploitation of unencrypted credentials stored in configuration files. The reversible encryption mechanism creates a direct attack vector where the security of the entire backup system becomes compromised once an attacker gains administrative access to the host system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality guarantees that backup systems are designed to provide. When backup encryption passwords are stored using reversible encryption, the entire backup infrastructure becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access, potentially exposing sensitive data that was intended to be protected by the encryption process. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain access to backup archives that contain critical business data, personal information, or proprietary assets. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Arq Backup for their data protection strategies, as it essentially nullifies the encryption benefits that users expect from the backup solution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36617 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Arq Backup version 7.19.6.0 or later, which addresses the reversible encryption issue through proper implementation of non-reversible password storage mechanisms. Organizations should also conduct thorough audits of their existing backup configurations to identify any instances where sensitive passwords might have been stored using the vulnerable version. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls for systems running Arq Backup, monitoring for unauthorized administrative access attempts, and establishing procedures for regularly rotating backup encryption keys. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and proper cryptographic implementation as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for authentication and credential management, ensuring that sensitive data protection mechanisms cannot be easily circumvented through simple reverse engineering approaches.