CVE-2017-15917 in PRTG Network Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
In Paessler PRTG Network Monitor 17.3.33.2830, it's possible to create a Map as a read-only user, by forging a request and sending it to the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15917 resides within Paessler PRTG Network Monitor version 17.3.33.2830, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the application's security model. This issue affects the web-based network monitoring system's map creation functionality, where read-only users can potentially bypass intended access controls to perform actions typically restricted to higher-privilege accounts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the application's request processing pipeline, allowing malicious actors to manipulate HTTP requests to gain unauthorized capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting and sending forged requests to the PRTG server that would normally require administrative or write privileges to execute. Attackers can leverage this flaw by manipulating the application's API endpoints or web interface parameters to create network maps without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization checks that should prevent read-only users from performing administrative operations such as map creation. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization validation where the system fails to properly verify user privileges before executing sensitive operations, aligning with CWE-863 - Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key and potentially CWE-285 - Improper Authorization within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15917 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to create network maps that could reveal sensitive infrastructure information to unauthorized personnel. Network maps in PRTG typically contain detailed topology information including device names, IP addresses, network segments, and potentially sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to gather reconnaissance data about network infrastructure, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as network enumeration, service discovery, or targeted exploitation of vulnerable systems. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where network monitoring tools often contain sensitive operational data and where unauthorized access to mapping capabilities could expose critical infrastructure details.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust access control measures and proper input validation within the PRTG application. Organizations should immediately update to a patched version of PRTG Network Monitor that addresses this authorization bypass issue, as the vendor would have likely implemented proper privilege checks and request validation mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring of map creation activities and user access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper authorization checking at all application entry points, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing for Information. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the PRTG monitoring system to unauthorized users and ensure that administrative functions are properly protected through multiple layers of security controls.