CVE-2024-48248 is an absolute path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-36 affecting NAKIVO Backup & Replication Director versions before 11.0.0.88174. The flaw exists in the getImageByPath functionality accessible via the /c/router endpoint, which improperly sanitizes input paths, allowing attackers to specify absolute file paths and read arbitrary files on the underlying system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exposes cleartext credentials used by the PhysicalDiscovery component, a module responsible for discovering physical infrastructure within the backup environment. Exposure of these credentials can lead to unauthorized access and potentially remote code execution within the enterprise network. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction, significantly increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.6 reflects a high severity rating, emphasizing the critical confidentiality impact and the broad scope of affected systems. Although no public exploits have been observed in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and the sensitive role of backup software in enterprise environments make it a prime target for attackers. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through network controls and monitoring. Organizations should audit their NAKIVO Backup & Replication installations, restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint, and prepare to apply vendor patches once released.

The impact of CVE-2024-48248 on European organizations is significant due to the critical role backup and replication software plays in data protection and disaster recovery. Exploitation allows attackers to read arbitrary files, including sensitive configuration files containing cleartext credentials, which can lead to lateral movement and remote code execution within enterprise networks. This compromises confidentiality and potentially integrity, threatening business continuity and data security. Enterprises in Europe, especially those in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, face increased risk of data breaches and compliance violations. The ability to remotely exploit this vulnerability without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks and widespread compromise. Additionally, the exposure of backup infrastructure credentials can undermine trust in data recovery processes, complicating incident response and recovery efforts. The vulnerability could also be leveraged for espionage or sabotage in geopolitical contexts, given the strategic importance of backup systems.

To mitigate CVE-2024-48248, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately restrict network access to the NAKIVO Backup & Replication Director management interfaces, especially the /c/router endpoint, using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted administrators only. 2) Conduct thorough audits of backup infrastructure logs and configurations to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activity related to the getImageByPath functionality. 3) Encrypt sensitive configuration files and credentials where possible to reduce the impact of file disclosure. 4) Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with custom signatures to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting absolute path traversal patterns. 5) Coordinate with NAKIVO to obtain and apply security patches or updates as soon as they become available. 6) Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative access to backup systems to reduce the risk of credential misuse. 7) Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid detection and response. 8) Consider deploying application-layer gateways or web application firewalls (WAFs) to filter malicious requests targeting vulnerable endpoints.