CVE-2014-9605 in Netsweeper
Summary
by MITRE
WebUpgrade in Netsweeper before 3.1.10, 4.0.x before 4.0.9, and 4.1.x before 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and create a system backup tarball, restart the server, or stop the filters on the server via a ' (single quote) character in the login and password parameters to webupgrade/webupgrade.php. NOTE: this was originally reported as an SQL injection vulnerability, but this may be inaccurate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9605 affects Netsweeper web filtering software versions prior to specific patches, presenting a critical authentication bypass opportunity for remote attackers. This flaw exists within the WebUpgrade component of the Netsweeper platform, specifically in the webupgrade/webupgrade.php script where login and password parameters are processed. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the authentication flow and gain unauthorized access to critical system functions. The issue manifests when a single quote character is injected into the login and password parameters, which can potentially lead to arbitrary command execution and system compromise.
This vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that aligns with CWE-89, SQL Injection, and potentially CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, as the system fails to properly sanitize user inputs before processing them in authentication contexts. The attack vector operates through a classic injection technique where the single quote character disrupts normal SQL query execution, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate database queries and bypass authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as an authentication bypass rather than a pure SQL injection suggests that the system's authentication logic is being manipulated through input manipulation rather than direct database exploitation, though both attack vectors remain possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple authentication bypass, as successful exploitation enables attackers to perform critical system operations including creating system backup tarballs, restarting the server, and stopping filters on the server. These capabilities represent a severe escalation of privileges that could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The ability to create system backups provides attackers with potential access to sensitive configuration data and potentially system credentials, while server restarts and filter disabling could result in network-wide service degradation or complete loss of network security monitoring capabilities. Such operations directly align with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically covering T1059 for command and script injection and T1566 for credential harvesting.
Organizations utilizing affected Netsweeper versions face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to critical network security infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network security is paramount. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple version streams including 3.1.10, 4.0.9, and 4.1.2 versions indicates a widespread issue within the Netsweeper product line, requiring comprehensive patch management across all affected deployments. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, as the vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete network security compromise and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to the affected Netsweeper versions, with comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems and establish robust input validation controls at all application interfaces. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization would prevent similar issues in the future, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other network security appliances and applications within the organization's infrastructure.