Veeam’s Backup Blunder: Critical Flaw Opens Door to Remote Hacking Hijinks
Veeam has patched a critical vulnerability in its Backup & Replication product, CVE-2025-23120, which could allow remote code execution by authenticated users. The flaw, linked to deserialization issues, has a CVSS score of 9.9. Users are urged to update to the latest version to avoid potential attacks.

Hot Take:
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When Veeam gives you vulnerabilities, patch them ASAP! Veeam’s Backup & Replication product just got a vulnerability facelift, and it’s not a pretty sight. The good news is the patches are in, so update now unless you want some unwelcome cyber guests crashing your digital party.
Key Points:
- Veeam’s Backup & Replication has a critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-23120, with a CVSS score of 9.9.
- This flaw allows remote code execution by authenticated domain users.
- The vulnerability is rooted in the deserialization mechanism of the software.
- Updating to version 12.3.1 (build 12.3.1.1139) is highly recommended to patch the flaw.
- The issue can be linked to previous vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-40711 and CVE-2024-42455.
Patch Adams: The Veeam Edition
Veeam, the knight in shining armor of backup and data protection, recently discovered a critical-severity vulnerability in its Backup & Replication product. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-23120, could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. It’s like giving hackers a backstage pass to your data concert. But fear not, Veeam has rolled out patches quicker than you can say “data breach,” and recommends updating to version 12.3.1. Time to get patching before your data finds itself in all the wrong places!
Deserialization Drama: The Sequel
The cybersecurity firm watchTowr, which sounds like a vigilante league of tech wizards, was credited for reporting the vulnerability. They discovered that the flaw lies in Veeam’s deserialization mechanism, which apparently didn’t get the memo about proper procedures. Despite following industry standards with an allow-list, it seems one of the allowed classes leads to inner deserialization—a plot twist no one saw coming. This is like having a secure door with a welcome mat that says “Welcome, Hackers!”
History Repeats Itself: The Vulnerability Chronicles
This isn’t Veeam’s first rodeo with deserialization drama. The new vulnerability, CVE-2025-23120, has a family tree that includes CVE-2024-40711 and CVE-2024-42455, both of which have made headlines for their critical-severity nature. It’s like a soap opera, but with code instead of dramatic confrontations. CVE-2024-40711 was even exploited in ransomware attacks, proving that vulnerabilities can have more sequels than a popular movie franchise.
Authentication Shenanigans: A Weak Link
While the new vulnerability does require an attacker to be logged in, watchTowr warns that this authentication requirement is “fairly weak.” This is akin to using a paperclip as a lock on your front door. It may keep out the wind, but not much else. With the right deserialization gadgets, cybercriminals could potentially exploit this vulnerability faster than you can say “update.” It’s a reminder that in the world of cybersecurity, even the smallest crack can let in the biggest problems.
Final Thoughts: The Patch Parade
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, staying ahead of vulnerabilities is like playing whack-a-mole with a blindfold on. Veeam’s latest vulnerability may have been a sucker punch, but the company hasn’t wasted time in releasing a patch. The moral of the story? Always keep your software up-to-date, because you never know when a cyber villain is plotting their next move. And remember, in the realm of data protection, a stitch in time saves nine—or in this case, a patch in time saves your data!