CVE-2019-16068 in Enigma NMS
Summary
by MITRE
A CSRF vulnerability exists in NETSAS ENIGMA NMS version 65.0.0 and prior that could allow an attacker to be able to trick a victim into submitting a malicious manage_files.cgi request. This can be triggered via XSS or an IFRAME tag included within the site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16068 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the NETSAS ENIGMA Network Management System version 65.0.0 and earlier releases. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and user trust mechanisms, where legitimate administrative functions become accessible through maliciously crafted requests that exploit the trust relationship between the user's browser and the targeted system. The flaw specifically resides in the manage_files.cgi component of the application, which handles file management operations and serves as the primary attack vector for this particular CSRF implementation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness of stateless web protocols where user authentication tokens are not properly validated for request origin. Attackers can construct malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, perform unauthorized administrative actions within the NETSAS ENIGMA NMS environment. The vulnerability can be triggered through multiple attack vectors including persistent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that allow attackers to inject malicious code into the application's response, or through iframe-based attacks where the malicious request is embedded within an iframe element that loads within the victim's browser session. This dual trigger mechanism significantly increases the exploitability and attack surface of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-16068 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows attackers to perform arbitrary file management operations within the target system. This capability enables attackers to upload malicious files, modify existing configurations, delete critical system components, or manipulate the file system in ways that could compromise the entire network management infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a backdoor into the system's administrative functions, potentially allowing them to establish persistent access or disrupt critical network operations. The severity is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core management interface of the system, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack pattern follows established methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage legitimate administrative credentials to execute unauthorized operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive CSRF protection mechanisms including anti-forgery tokens, origin validation checks, and proper session management protocols. The recommended mitigations include upgrading to the patched version of NETSAS ENIGMA NMS, implementing strict content security policies, and conducting thorough security reviews of all administrative interfaces to ensure proper validation of request origins and user authentication states. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file management activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.