CVE-2017-17416 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup 11.3.0.12 allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized code, posing a significant security risk.

Understanding CVE-2017-17416

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup 11.3.0.12 that enables attackers to execute code remotely without authentication.

What is CVE-2017-17416?

The vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup 11.3.0.12 allows attackers to execute unauthorized code remotely due to improper handling of user-supplied strings in SQL queries.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17416

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute code within the context of the underlying database, potentially leading to data breaches and system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17416

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in how NVBUPhaseStatus GetPlugins method requests are processed, lacking proper validation of user-supplied strings before constructing SQL queries.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Quest NetVault Backup
Vendor: Quest
Version: 11.3.0.12

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by providing malicious strings to create SQL queries, allowing them to execute code within the database context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-17416 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Quest to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update Quest NetVault Backup to the latest version to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.