CVE-2018-1161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup 11.2.0.13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without authentication, posing a significant security risk.

Understanding CVE-2018-1161

This CVE identifies a critical flaw in Quest NetVault Backup 11.2.0.13 that enables attackers to run code with SYSTEM privileges.

What is CVE-2018-1161?

The vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup 11.2.0.13 permits remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without requiring authentication. The flaw lies in the nvwsworker.exe component, where inadequate verification of user-supplied data length can lead to a stack-based buffer overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1161

Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with SYSTEM privileges, potentially compromising the entire system's security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1161

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Quest NetVault Backup 11.2.0.13 arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied data length during the parsing of a multipart request's boundary header, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Quest NetVault Backup
Vendor: Quest
Version: 11.2.0.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted multipart request to the vulnerable software, triggering the buffer overflow and executing malicious code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-1161 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Quest to address the vulnerability promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users and IT staff on best practices for cybersecurity to prevent successful exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update and patch Quest NetVault Backup to ensure that known vulnerabilities, including CVE-2018-1161, are mitigated effectively.