CVE-2024-40714 Overview
CVE-2024-40714 is an improper certificate validation vulnerability [CWE-295] in Veeam Backup & Replication. The flaw resides in the Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate validation logic used during restore operations. An attacker positioned on the same network can intercept the TLS session and capture sensitive credentials transmitted during these operations. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3 and was published on September 7, 2024.
Critical Impact
An adjacent network attacker can perform a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack against restore operations, capturing credentials and compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of backup data.
Affected Products
- Veeam Backup & Replication (versions prior to the September 2024 patch)
- Deployments performing restore operations across untrusted network segments
- Environments relying on Veeam-managed TLS for backup repository communication
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-09-07 - CVE-2024-40714 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-40714
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper validation of TLS certificates presented during restore operations in Veeam Backup & Replication. The product fails to correctly verify the authenticity of the certificate chain presented by the remote endpoint. Without strict validation, an attacker can present a forged or attacker-controlled certificate and complete the TLS handshake successfully.
Once the handshake succeeds, the client transmits credentials used to authenticate to the restore target. The attacker decrypts the channel and captures these credentials in cleartext. The credentials can include domain accounts with elevated privileges to backup repositories, hypervisors, or production systems.
The weakness is categorized under [CWE-295] Improper Certificate Validation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction in the form of initiating a restore, and the attacker must hold an adjacent network position such as a compromised host on the same VLAN.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient verification of the TLS server certificate chain during restore session establishment. The client does not enforce hostname checks, chain-of-trust validation, or pinning against a known certificate authority before transmitting credential material.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based with high attack complexity and required user interaction. The attacker must intercept traffic between the Veeam component and the restore target using techniques such as ARP spoofing, rogue DHCP, or DNS poisoning. The attacker then presents a forged certificate and relays or records the resulting credentials.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for CVE-2024-40714. For technical specifics, refer to the Veeam Knowledge Base Article.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-40714
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected TLS certificates presented by hosts participating in Veeam restore sessions, particularly self-signed or unknown-issuer certificates
- ARP table anomalies or duplicate MAC addresses on subnets carrying Veeam backup traffic
- Restore operations originating from or terminating at hosts not registered in the Veeam infrastructure inventory
Detection Strategies
- Inspect TLS handshakes on backup network segments for certificate fingerprints that do not match the expected Veeam infrastructure certificates
- Correlate Windows Security Event logs for unusual authentication attempts using service accounts associated with Veeam restore jobs
- Monitor Veeam application logs for restore sessions initiated outside maintenance windows or from unusual source hosts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable certificate transparency monitoring for internal certificate authorities issuing certificates to backup infrastructure
- Deploy network detection and response (NDR) tooling on VLANs hosting backup traffic to identify MITM techniques such as ARP cache poisoning
- Alert on changes to Veeam component trust stores and on the introduction of new certificate authorities to backup hosts
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-40714
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the patch published by Veeam as referenced in Veeam KB4649 to all Veeam Backup & Replication installations
- Restrict restore operations to dedicated, segmented management networks that exclude general user workstations
- Rotate credentials used by Veeam service accounts if restore operations have been performed on untrusted networks since deployment
Patch Information
Veeam released a security update addressing CVE-2024-40714. Patch details and affected version ranges are documented in the Veeam Knowledge Base Article. Administrators should validate that all Veeam Backup & Replication components, including remote proxies and agents, are updated to the fixed build.
Workarounds
- Limit restore operations to hosts within trusted, isolated network segments until patching is complete
- Enforce static ARP entries and 802.1X authentication on switches carrying backup traffic to reduce MITM exposure
- Use dedicated service accounts for restore operations with least-privilege scoping so intercepted credentials provide minimal lateral movement value
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
