CVE-2018-19410 Scanner

PRTG Network Monitor is a robust network monitoring solution widely used by IT professionals and network administrators to manage and inspect the health of network systems. Developed by Paessler AG, it is designed for scalable monitoring solutions tailored for networks of all sizes, offering comprehensive insights into network traffic, performance metrics, and alerting systems. PRTG is highly favored in various industries including telecommunications, IT management, and enterprise-level businesses. Its in-depth monitoring capabilities assist organizations in maintaining network uptime and ensuring connectivity reliability. The software’s intuitive dashboard and easily interpretable data points allow users to maintain operational efficiency and preempt potential network issues. With its extensive range of functionalities, PRTG Network Monitor remains an essential tool in strategic IT management and network optimization.

The Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in PRTG Network Monitor allows an attacker to manipulate file paths in web requests, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive files. Attackers exploit this vulnerability by targeting the 'include' directive, which improperly handles crafted requests involving file paths. This vulnerability can potentially be used as a back path to access sensitive backend files or even scripts not intended for direct web access, posing significant security risks. Keeping the software updated is crucial, as older versions might lack essential security patches to prevent such exploits. LFI typically occurs in web applications that don't appropriately sanitize user inputs, exposing them to malicious manipulations. If left unaddressed, this vulnerability can serve as a pivot point for other forms of cyberattacks and data breaches.

The detected LFI vulnerability in PRTG involves a specific weakness where an unauthenticated user can override attributes of directives. The main issue arises from the vulnerable endpoint '/public/login.htm' that users can manipulate by forcing its parameters. This vulnerability permits the inclusion of '/api/addusers' in requests, which an attack vector can exploit to insert unauthorized user creation commands. The need for correct input validation and environment settings becomes evident, highlighting where the security flaw roots. Path traversal techniques allow an attacker to leverage this vulnerability further, potentially gaining high-level access or causing other downstream threats. A focus on secure coding practices is essential to avoid such critical exposure in application development frameworks.

Exploiting the Local File Inclusion vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of system functions. If a malicious actor successfully executes this vulnerability, it can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by executing unauthorized commands. The elevated permissions granted by manipulating user credentials can facilitate escalated attacks against the network’s internal architecture. Such an exposure might lead to data breaches, including theft of sensitive information, corruption of crucial data, or impaired functionality of network systems. Proactively identifying and remediating this vulnerability is crucial in protecting vital organizational assets from exploitation.

REFERENCES

• https://global.ptsecurity.com/analytics/threatscape/pt-2018-24
• https://github.com/himash/CVE-2018-19410-POC