CVE-2019-11073 in PRTG Network Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability exists in PRTG Network Monitor before 19.4.54.1506 that allows attackers to execute code due to insufficient sanitization when passing arguments to the HttpTransactionSensor.exe binary. In order to exploit the vulnerability, remote authenticated administrators need to create a new HTTP Transaction Sensor and set specific settings when the sensor is executed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
The CVE-2019-11073 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in PRTG Network Monitor versions prior to 19.4.54.1506. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the HttpTransactionSensor.exe binary, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by remote authenticated administrators. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers create new HTTP Transaction Sensors and configure particular settings during sensor execution, allowing them to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected service.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where user-supplied parameters are not properly validated or sanitized before being passed to system commands. The HttpTransactionSensor.exe component acts as a bridge between the PRTG monitoring interface and underlying system operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges. When administrators configure HTTP Transaction Sensors, the system fails to adequately sanitize input parameters, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary commands that get executed by the sensor process. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, which specifically address command injection flaws that allow arbitrary code execution through improper input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on PRTG Network Monitor for network infrastructure monitoring. Attackers who gain administrative access can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the monitored systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The requirement for remote authenticated access means that attackers must first obtain valid administrative credentials, but this is often achievable through various social engineering techniques, credential stuffing attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as installing backdoors, modifying monitoring configurations, or accessing sensitive network data that the monitoring system is designed to protect.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to PRTG Network Monitor version 19.4.54.1506 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of compromised administrative accounts. Implementing strict access controls and monitoring for suspicious sensor configuration changes can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their monitoring configurations and ensure that only necessary administrative accounts have the ability to create or modify HTTP Transaction Sensors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in security design, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the technique of command and scripting interpreter for persistence and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the network infrastructure.