Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-34028 is a critical pre-authentication flaw in Commvault Command Center Innovation Release. An attacker can upload a crafted install ZIP that writes files outside the intended path, potentially leading to remote code execution. CISA lists it as known exploited, so exposed systems should be treated as urgent.
Executive priority
Treat as an immediate remediation item for any exposed Commvault Command Center. This is a critical, unauthenticated RCE against backup administration infrastructure, with CISA-confirmed exploitation. Patch or isolate affected systems promptly.
Technical view
The issue combines missing authentication controls with ZIP path traversal during install-package expansion. Public sources describe unauthenticated upload of package ZIPs and server-side extraction that can place a malicious JSP, enabling code execution. CVSS is 9.3. The record cites CWE-22 and CWE-306.
Likely exposure
Organizations running Commvault Command Center Innovation Release, especially internet-reachable management portals, are the primary concern. The source bundle states affected Innovation Release versions include 11.38.0 to 11.38.20, with fixes also referenced for 11.38.25 hotfix levels.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV listing. Public research and exploit references exist from watchTowr, increasing risk of opportunistic scanning. Because exploitation is unauthenticated and targets a backup-management platform, compromise could have operational and recovery impact.
Researcher notes
Public version information is somewhat inconsistent: the title references <=11.38.25, while the description names 11.38.0 to 11.38.20 and fixed hotfixes for 11.38.20 and 11.38.25. Validate against the vendor advisory before scoping exclusions.
Mitigation direction
- Identify all Commvault Command Center Innovation Release instances and versions.
- Apply Commvault fixed hotfixes: SP38-CU20-433, SP38-CU20-436, SP38-CU25-434, or SP38-CU25-438 as applicable.
- Restrict Command Center access to trusted networks or VPN only.
- Review Commvault’s advisory for version-specific upgrade guidance.
- Prioritize internet-exposed systems before internal-only systems.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed version and hotfix level against Commvault’s advisory.
- Check whether Command Center is reachable from the internet.
- Review logs for unauthenticated install-package upload activity.
- Look for unexpected JSP files or webroot file changes.
- Verify remediation by confirming the fixed hotfix level is installed.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-306: Credential and account abuse lookup
Authentication and credential weaknesses can make valid-account abuse and credential telemetry useful review starting points. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-34028 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.3 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:H/SA:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:H/SA:H——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
9.3CriticalVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:L/SI:H/SA:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://documentation.commvault.com/securityadvisories/CV_2025_04_1.htmlCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/fire-in-the-hole-were-breaching-the-vault-commvault-remote-code-execution-cve-2025-34028/CVE reference · exploit
- https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/watchTowr-vs-Commvault-PreAuth-RCE-CVE-2025-34028CVE reference · exploit
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/commvault-command-center-innovation-release-unauthenticated-install-package-path-traversalCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-34028CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Missing Authentication for Critical Function
Missing Authentication for Critical Function represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.