Veeam Backup & Replication Path Traversal and Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerability Advisory (CVE-2022-26500)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTVeeam Backup & Replication versions 9.5U3, 9.5U4, 10.x, and 11.x
Remote authenticated attackers can access internal API functions, upload arbitrary files, and execute malicious code with SYSTEM privileges
Apply the official vendor patch (KB4288) immediately or restrict network access to vulnerable ports
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Refer to the Veeam KB4288 advisory to apply the official security patches or upgrade to supported versions (11a/12 or later). Use the following PowerShell command to verify the installed version of Veeam services:
# Check installed Veeam Backup & Replication version
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like '*Veeam Backup & Replication*' } | Select-Object Name, Version2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be applied immediately, restrict access to Veeam API and distribution ports (e.g., TCP 9392, 6160) using firewall rules to allow only trusted administrative IP addresses.
# Block external access to Veeam API port and allow only trusted IP
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName 'Block Veeam API External' -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 9392 -Protocol TCP -Action Block
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName 'Allow Trusted Admin IP' -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 9392 -Protocol TCP -RemoteAddress '192.168.10.50' -Action Allow3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Audit Veeam log directories for suspicious path traversal patterns ('..\', '../') or unauthorized file upload attempts within API request logs.
# Search for path traversal patterns in Veeam log files
Get-ChildItem -Path 'C:\ProgramData\Veeam\Backup\' -Recurse -Filter '*.log' | Select-String -Pattern '\.\.\/' -SimpleMatchBlock Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2022-26500) is a path traversal (CWE-22) and remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability caused by improper limitation of path names in Veeam Backup & Replication. The root cause lies in the lack of proper input validation on file path parameters passed to internal API functions.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
A remote authenticated user with low privileges can craft malicious API requests to bypass directory path restrictions. This allows the attacker to upload arbitrary payloads (such as web shells or executables) to sensitive directories and execute them under the high-privilege context (SYSTEM) of the Veeam service.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
This vulnerability is listed in the CISA KEV catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild. Compromising a backup server allows threat actors to delete backups, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy ransomware across the entire infrastructure, posing an existential threat to business continuity.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
Improper limitation of path names in Veeam Backup & Replication 9.5U3, 9.5U4,10.x, and 11.x allows remote authenticated users access to internal API functions that allows attackers to upload and execute arbitrary code.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2022-26500)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2022-26500 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2022-26500 is rated CVSS 8.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 5.8%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2022-26500?
Primary impacted vendors include veeam across backup_and_replication. Scope summary: Veeam Backup & Replication 9.5U3, 9.5U4, 10.x, and 11.x
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2022-26500 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the official vendor patch (KB4288) immediately or restrict network access to vulnerable ports Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2022-26500
Instantly format this advisory into an executive CISO summary or engineering patch ticket.
🔗 Related Advisories in Similar Stack (veeam)
View Category →Apple macOS Screen Sharing Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2026-65400)
[Affected Scope] macOS systems running versions prior to Sequoia 15.7.9, Sonoma 14.8.9, Tahoe 26.6.1/26.7, or Golden Gate 27 with Screen Sharing or VNC services enabled
DAEMON Tools Lite Official Installer Supply Chain Attack and Trojanized Binaries (CVE-2026-8398)
[Affected Scope] DAEMON Tools Lite Windows versions 12.5.0.2421 through 12.5.0.2434 distributed between April 8, 2026, and May 5, 2026
Microsoft Windows Shell Command Injection and Security Feature Bypass (CVE-2026-96951) Advisory
[Affected Scope] All supported versions of Windows OS including Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server.
Apple iOS and macOS Out-of-bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2026-86950) Security Advisory
[Affected Scope] All Apple devices running versions prior to iOS 18.7.11/26.7.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.8.1/Tahoe 26.7.1.
Subscribe to Daily Vulnerability Briefings & KEV Alerts
Concise morning briefings for SecOps, DevSecOps, and SRE teams covering newly exploited CVEs and mitigation priorities.