CVE-2018-14683 in PRTG
Summary
by MITRE
PRTG before 19.1.49.1966 has Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in the WEBGUI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14683 affects PRTG Network Monitor versions prior to 19.1.49.1966, specifically within the WEBGUI component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web interfaces, potentially compromising user sessions and system integrity. The vulnerability manifests as a cross site scripting attack vector that can be exploited through improperly sanitized user input fields within the web administration interface.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the web graphical user interface of PRTG. When users interact with various input fields, search functions, or parameter handling mechanisms, the application fails to properly encode or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows malicious actors to craft payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, particularly those with administrative privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data, manipulate monitoring configurations, or redirect users to malicious websites. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where PRTG is used for critical network monitoring, as administrative users may have elevated privileges that could be leveraged to compromise entire network infrastructures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, demonstrating how web-based scripting vulnerabilities can be weaponized for broader attack vectors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to PRTG version 19.1.49.1966 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security assessments of the monitoring infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated software to ensure no regression issues affect monitoring operations. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logs of user activities within the PRTG environment to detect potential compromise indicators. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.