CVE-2025-59468: Backup Administrator RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-59468 Overview

CVE-2025-59468 is a critical command injection vulnerability that allows a Backup Administrator to perform remote code execution (RCE) as the postgres user by sending a malicious password parameter. This vulnerability exploits improper neutralization of special elements used in a command (CWE-77), enabling authenticated attackers with Backup Administrator privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers with Backup Administrator access can achieve remote code execution as the postgres user, potentially compromising database integrity, exfiltrating sensitive backup data, and pivoting to other systems within the infrastructure.

Affected Products

• Veeam Backup products (see vendor advisory for specific versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-08 - CVE CVE-2025-59468 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-59468

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input in the password parameter processing mechanism. When a Backup Administrator submits authentication credentials, the password field is not properly sanitized before being passed to system-level commands. This allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that execute in the context of the postgres database user.

The attack requires network access and authenticated Backup Administrator privileges, but once these conditions are met, the attacker can achieve code execution that escapes the application's security boundary. The scope change indicates that while exploitation begins within the backup application, the impact extends to the underlying operating system and potentially other components.

Root Cause

The root cause is Command Injection (CWE-77) - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. The application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters in the password parameter before incorporating it into system commands executed on the backend. This allows metacharacters and command separators to break out of the intended command context and execute arbitrary attacker-controlled commands.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires the attacker to have valid Backup Administrator credentials. The exploitation flow involves:

1. The attacker authenticates to the backup management interface using legitimate Backup Administrator credentials
2. The attacker crafts a malicious password parameter containing command injection payloads
3. When the password is processed by the backend, the injected commands are executed in the context of the postgres user
4. The attacker gains shell access or executes arbitrary commands with postgres user privileges

The vulnerability mechanism involves crafted password parameters that include shell metacharacters to escape the intended command context. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization, the injected commands execute with the privileges of the postgres database user. For detailed technical information, refer to the Veeam Knowledge Base Article.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-59468

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process spawning from postgres user account, especially shell processes or system utilities
• Anomalous network connections originating from the database service
• Unexpected authentication attempts or sessions from Backup Administrator accounts
• Command-line arguments containing shell metacharacters in backup-related processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for child processes spawned by postgres that are inconsistent with normal database operations
• Implement application-level logging to capture authentication requests with anomalous password field lengths or special characters
• Deploy network traffic analysis to identify unexpected outbound connections from backup infrastructure
• Enable database audit logging to track unusual command execution patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure SIEM rules to alert on process genealogy anomalies where postgres spawns interactive shells or system utilities
• Establish baseline Backup Administrator activity patterns and alert on deviations
• Monitor for lateral movement attempts originating from backup server infrastructure
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical backup system binaries and configurations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-59468

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the vendor security patch immediately by following the guidance in the Veeam Knowledge Base Article
• Audit Backup Administrator accounts and remove unnecessary privileged access
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to backup management interfaces
• Enable comprehensive logging for all backup administrator actions

Patch Information

Veeam has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the Veeam Knowledge Base Article for specific patch information, affected version details, and upgrade instructions. Apply the latest security updates to all affected Veeam Backup installations immediately.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to backup management interfaces using firewall rules and access control lists
• Implement additional authentication layers such as VPN or jump servers for Backup Administrator access
• Apply principle of least privilege by limiting the number of accounts with Backup Administrator roles
• Deploy application-aware web application firewalls to filter malicious input patterns

# Example: Restrict access to backup management interface
# Add firewall rules to limit management interface access to trusted IPs only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9443 -s 10.0.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9443 -j DROP

# Monitor postgres user process activity
auditctl -a always,exit -F arch=b64 -S execve -F uid=postgres -k postgres_exec