CVE-2017-7175 in NfSen
Summary
by MITRE
NfSen before 1.3.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7175 affects NfSen versions prior to 1.3.8, presenting a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the network flow monitoring application, which processes data from various sources including NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX protocols. The flaw exists in how NfSen handles user-supplied data during the processing of network flow data, creating a path for malicious input to be interpreted and executed as system commands without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves command injection mechanisms within NfSen's data processing pipeline, where attacker-controlled input can be passed directly to system execution functions without adequate filtering. This typically occurs when the application constructs system commands using user-provided parameters without proper escaping or sanitization techniques. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious network flow data or manipulating input parameters that are subsequently processed by the application's command execution mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7175 extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, as it provides attackers with full system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, adversaries can gain complete control over the affected NfSen server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or use as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network monitoring environments where NfSen systems often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive network flow data. This makes the attack surface particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage the compromised system to monitor network traffic, potentially accessing confidential information or disrupting network operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation. Organizations running affected NfSen versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise, especially in environments where the application processes data from multiple network sources. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to NfSen systems and monitor for suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to NfSen version 1.3.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their network monitoring infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other network flow monitoring tools and applications.