CVE-2026-92189 in Foglight for Databases
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2026
Quest Foglight for Databases writeTopologySectionToFile External Control of File Path Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Quest Foglight for Databases. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the writeTopologySectionToFile method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-29169.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Quest Foglight for Databases, specifically located in the writeTopologySectionToFile method. This function is responsible for writing topology data to disk, but it fails to implement adequate validation mechanisms for user-supplied file paths. The core technical deficiency lies in the absence of strict input sanitization and path normalization checks before the application attempts to perform file system operations using the provided string. Because the software does not verify that the supplied path remains within an expected directory structure or restricts access to authorized locations, it becomes susceptible to Path Traversal attacks. This lack of validation allows external actors to manipulate the destination file location by injecting malicious sequences into the input parameter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its remote exploitable nature and the absence of required authentication. An attacker can leverage this flaw from a network position without needing valid credentials, significantly lowering the barrier for exploitation. By carefully crafting requests that include directory traversal characters or absolute path references, an adversary can direct the application to write files to arbitrary locations on the host system. This capability enables the placement of malicious scripts, web shells, or executable payloads in directories where they may be automatically executed by other services or accessed via a web interface. The consequence is full remote code execution with the privileges of the SYSTEM account, granting the attacker complete control over the underlying operating environment and all data hosted on that system.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which describes flaws where software does not properly neutralize special elements within file paths. Additionally, the exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing arbitrary code and potentially T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer if the attacker uses this vector to deploy additional malicious tools onto the compromised host. The lack of authentication required for exploitation further exacerbates the risk, classifying it under high-severity remote access vectors that can lead to immediate system compromise without prior foothold establishment.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize both technical remediation and architectural review. The primary solution is to apply vendor-provided patches or updates that address the input validation logic within the writeTopologySectionToFile method. If patching is not immediately feasible, network-level controls should be implemented to restrict access to the Foglight for Databases interface exclusively from trusted IP addresses using firewalls or VPNs. Input validation must enforce strict allow-listing of permitted characters and ensure that all file paths are resolved to absolute canonical forms before use, preventing any traversal sequences from influencing the final destination. Regular security audits and static code analysis should be employed to detect similar path handling issues across other modules within the application suite to prevent recurrence.