CVE-2016-5078 in PRTG
Summary
by MITRE
Paessler PRTG before 16.2.24.4045 has XSS via SNMP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5078 affects Paessler PRTG (Professional RRD Tool) versions prior to 16.2.24.4045 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) functionality within the application. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing SNMP-related data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's web interface. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser context, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when SNMP monitoring data is processed and displayed within the PRTG interface without adequate sanitization of input parameters. Attackers can craft malicious SNMP queries or configurations that contain script payloads, which are then executed when other users view the affected monitoring data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, where the application fails to properly encode or validate user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web pages. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and potentially full system compromise through the exploitation of the victim's authenticated session within the PRTG application.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5078 is significant for organizations relying on Paessler PRTG for network monitoring and management. Network administrators who view SNMP monitoring data within the PRTG interface become potential victims of this attack, as their browser sessions could be hijacked to perform unauthorized actions or steal sensitive monitoring data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PRTG is used for critical infrastructure monitoring, as it could allow attackers to gain insights into network configurations, monitor sensitive traffic, or manipulate monitoring alerts. This represents a direct threat to the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring operations, potentially leading to undetected security incidents or compromised monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics involving the delivery of malicious content through web interfaces.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Paessler PRTG version 16.2.24.4045 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should review and implement proper input validation controls for SNMP monitoring configurations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application. Implementing content security policies and enabling strict output encoding can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in SNMP data processing, and regular security assessments of web applications should be conducted to identify and remediate similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in the broader network infrastructure.