CVE-2023-32079 in Netmaker
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2023
Netmaker makes networks with WireGuard. A Mass assignment vulnerability was found in versions prior to 0.17.1 and 0.18.6 that allows a non-admin user to escalate privileges to those of an admin user. The issue is patched in 0.17.1 and fixed in 0.18.6. If Users are using 0.17.1, they should run `docker pull gravitl/netmaker:v0.17.1` and `docker-compose up -d`. This will switch them to the patched users If users are using v0.18.0-0.18.5, they should upgrade to v0.18.6 or later. As a workaround, someone using version 0.17.1 can pull the latest docker image of the backend and restart the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-32079 represents a critical mass assignment flaw in Netmaker, a network management platform that utilizes WireGuard for secure network connectivity. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 0171 and 0186, creating a significant security risk where unprivileged users can escalate their privileges to administrative levels. The issue stems from improper input validation and parameter handling within the application's user management system, allowing malicious actors to manipulate data structures and gain elevated access rights. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-915, which categorizes improper handling of dynamically-determined object attributes or names, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this mass assignment vulnerability occurs when the application accepts user-supplied data and directly maps it to internal object properties without proper authorization checks or input sanitization. In Netmaker's case, this flaw allows non-administrative users to submit crafted requests that include administrative parameters, effectively bypassing normal access controls and privilege boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the application's legitimate data processing mechanisms to achieve unauthorized access, making detection difficult and exploitation straightforward. Attackers can exploit this by crafting HTTP requests that include administrative fields such as user roles, permissions, or access levels, which are then automatically assigned to the user account without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Netmaker platform and potentially compromises all network infrastructure managed through the system. Organizations using affected versions face the risk of unauthorized access to network configurations, user data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with elevated privileges, and represents a classic path for attackers to gain administrative control over network management systems. The consequences can be severe for organizations relying on Netmaker for secure network operations, as compromised administrative access could lead to complete network takeover and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32079 require immediate action from affected organizations to upgrade to patched versions or implement temporary workarounds. Users of version 0171 should execute the specified docker commands to switch to the patched user configuration, while those using versions 0180-0185 must upgrade to 0186 or later. The recommended approach involves running docker pull gravitl/netmaker:v0171 followed by docker-compose up -d to ensure proper patch application. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts. The fix addresses the core mass assignment vulnerability by introducing proper input validation and authorization checks, ensuring that user-supplied parameters cannot be directly mapped to administrative properties without appropriate verification. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper access control implementation in network management systems, particularly those handling sensitive infrastructure data and network configurations.