CVE-2023-44449 in ProSAFE Network Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System clearAlertByIds SQL Injection Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the clearAlertByIds function. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to construct SQL queries. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges to resources normally protected from the user. Was ZDI-CAN-21875.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The CVE-2023-44449 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System that demonstrates the dangerous consequences of inadequate input validation in web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the clearAlertByIds function within the network management system, exposing organizations to significant risk due to the combination of SQL injection and privilege escalation capabilities. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, the impact can be severe as it allows for unauthorized access to protected system resources. The issue stems from the improper handling of user-supplied data in SQL query construction, creating an attack vector that can be leveraged to manipulate database operations and gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The clearAlertByIds function fails to implement proper input validation mechanisms, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to be executed within the database context. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the SQL queries through the user-supplied string parameter, potentially executing arbitrary database commands and accessing sensitive information. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue indicates that even authenticated users with limited access can leverage this weakness to gain higher-level permissions within the system, effectively breaking the principle of least privilege that should govern access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-44449 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate network alert configurations and potentially compromise the integrity of the entire network management system. This vulnerability can be exploited to clear critical alerts, modify system configurations, or escalate privileges to administrative levels, depending on the database permissions and the specific implementation details. The fact that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-21875 indicates that it was recognized by the cybersecurity community and likely had a significant impact on network infrastructure management systems. Organizations using NETGEAR ProSAFE systems face potential disruption to their network monitoring capabilities and increased risk of unauthorized access to their network management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44449 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as this represents a critical vulnerability that can be exploited remotely by authenticated attackers. Network administrators should implement strict input validation controls and ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being used in database queries. The implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements should be mandatory for any database interactions within the affected application. Additionally, organizations should enforce strong access controls and monitor authentication logs for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to privilege escalation techniques and command and control activities, making it a significant concern for security operations centers that monitor network management system integrity and user behavior patterns.