CVE-2023-37249 in NIOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2023
Infoblox NIOS through 8.5.1 has a faulty component that accepts malicious input without sanitization, resulting in shell access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37249 affects Infoblox NIOS versions through 8.5.1 and represents a critical security flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands through improper input validation. This issue stems from a lack of proper sanitization mechanisms within the system's component handling malicious input, creating a pathway for unauthorized command execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables attackers to gain full shell access to affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the system's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before processing it within the command execution context. When malicious input is received through specific API endpoints or administrative interfaces, the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address improper input validation leading to command injection attacks. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject shell commands that are then executed with the privileges of the affected service, typically resulting in elevated system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37249 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with comprehensive system control capabilities. Once shell access is obtained, adversaries can manipulate system configurations, access sensitive network data, install additional malware, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Infoblox NIOS systems that handle DNS, DHCP, and IP address management functions, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where these services are critical infrastructure components. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that NIOS systems often serve as central points for network management and security policy enforcement.
Organizations utilizing affected Infoblox NIOS versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by Infoblox, as the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise without requiring authentication for the initial exploitation phase. Mitigation strategies should include network segmentation to limit access to NIOS systems, implementing strict input validation policies, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices such as principle of least privilege, regular security updates, and comprehensive input validation as outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and MITRE ATT&CK framework domains related to command and control activities. Organizations should also consider implementing network detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing remote code execution vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems.