CVE-2024-48248: NAKIVO Backup and Replication Absolute Path Traversal Vulnerability
NAKIVO · Backup and Replication · NVD published 2025-03-04 · posted 2025-03-19 · last modified 2026-09-24
What it is
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).
| Weakness | CWE-36 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N (source: [email protected]) |
| CISA due date | 2025-04-09 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone) |
| ATT&CK tactics | Initial Access → Credential Access → Collection |
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2025-03-19 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
- CISA KEV: listed since 2025-03-19. Source
Public exploit code
GitHub proof-of-concept repositories below quality bar
1 public repositories from 1 accounts, first seen 2025-03-04.
Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.
Sources: CISA KEV · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.
Defend the Chain
The attack chain for CVE-2024-48248 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.
Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.
Defend against T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application CTID: exploitation technique
An unauthenticated attacker can send a request to the NAKIVO Backup & Replication endpoint that contains a path to a sensitive file, leading to arbitrary file read.
How to fix it
CISA 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. (source: CISA KEV)
Fixed versions
- nakivo backup \& replication director: upgrade to 11.0.0.88174 or later
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain
- M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing (for T1190) : Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access.
- M1037 Filter Network Traffic (for T1190) : Restrict outbound network traffic from public-facing servers to prevent unauthorized connections from initiating communications with attacker-controlled infrastructure. While this may not prevent the initial exploitation, it limits the attacker's ability to verify and control the compromised server post-exploit, reduci
- M1030 Network Segmentation (for T1190) : Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure.
- M1016 Vulnerability Scanning (for T1190) : Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.
- M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1190, T1003) : Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system.
- M1050 Exploit Protection (for T1190) : Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application.
- M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network (for T1190) : Ensure that all publicly exposed services are actually intended to be so, and restrict access to any that should only be available internally.
- M1051 Update Software (for T1190) : Update software regularly by employing patch management for externally exposed applications.
- M1041 Encrypt Sensitive Information (for T1003) : Ensure Domain Controller backups are properly secured.
- M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint (for T1003) : On Windows 10, enable Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to secure LSASS and prevent credential stealing.
Detection Generic guidance
- Initial Access: Alert on unusual requests to the affected service (odd paths, oversized payloads, exploit strings) in WAF, reverse-proxy and application logs.
- Credential Access: Monitor for credential dumping, unusual LSASS access and sudden authentication from new sources.
- Collection: Watch for bulk reads of databases, file shares or mailboxes by the affected service.
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.
Sources
- NVD: CVE-2024-48248
- CVE.org record
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- FIRST EPSS (2026-10-24)
- MITRE CTID Mappings Explorer: KEV → ATT&CK
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/the-best-security-is-when-we-all-agree-to-keep-everything-secret-except-the-secrets-nakivo-backup-replication-cve-2024-48248/ (Third Party Advisory)
- https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/nakivo-arbitrary-file-read-poc-CVE-2024-48248/?ref=labs.watchtowr.com (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-48248 (US Government Resource)