NAKIVO Backup and Replication Absolute Path Traversal
CVE-2024-48248 is a high-severity absolute path traversal vulnerability in Backup & Replication Director from NAKIVO, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 11.0.0.88174 as the first without the flaw, so updating Backup & Replication Director to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 19, 2025, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Backup & Replication Director to 11.0.0.88174 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAKIVO | Backup & Replication Director | before 11.0.0.88174 | 11.0.0.88174 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | NVD |
Official description
NAKIVO Backup & Replication before 11.0.0.88174 allows absolute path traversal for reading files via getImageByPath to /c/router (this may lead to remote code execution across the enterprise because PhysicalDiscovery has cleartext credentials).
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Absolute Path Traversal
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize absolute path sequences such as /abs/path that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- github.com/watchtowrlabs/nakivo-arbitrary-file-read-poc-CVE-2024-48248/?ref=labs.watchtowr.comExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Backup & Replication Director
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.