# CVE-2018-1163: Auth bypass in Quest NetVault Backup

> Remote attackers can bypass authentication in Quest NetVault Backup via JSON RPC manipulation, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Feb 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4rqj-h9m9-94p6

## What is CVE-2018-1163?

CVE-2018-1163 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup, published on 8 Feb 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication on vulnerable installations of Quest NetVault Backup 11.2.0.13. The specific flaw exists within JSON RPC Request handling. By setting the checksession parameter to a specific value, it is possible to bypass authentication to critical functions. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-4752.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-1163?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Quest Netvault Backup.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-1163?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-1163 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-1163 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-1163 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Quest NetVault Backup

- [CVE-2017-17412](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17412/): SQL injection in Quest NetVault Backup (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17413](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17413/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17414](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17414/): SQL injection in Quest NetVault Backup (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17415](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17415/): SQL injection in Quest NetVault Backup (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17416](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17416/): SQL injection in Quest NetVault Backup (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-1163 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-1163 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Quest NetVault Backup, published on 8 Feb 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-1163 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Quest NetVault Backup. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1163/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1163/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-1163
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1163
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-1163

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1163/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.