CVE-2024-12833 in PRTG Network Monitor
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2025
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor SNMP Cross-Site Scripting Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of Paessler PRTG Network Monitor. Some user interaction on the part of an administrator is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the PRTG Network Monitor web interface. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can lead to the injection of an arbitrary script. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-23371.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12833 represents a critical security flaw in Paessler PRTG Network Monitor that combines both cross-site scripting and authentication bypass capabilities. This issue affects network-adjacent attackers who can exploit the vulnerability without requiring direct network access to the target system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web interface components of the PRTG monitoring solution, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary scripts that can manipulate the authentication process. The vulnerability was previously catalogued as ZDI-CAN-23371, indicating it was recognized and documented by the Zero Day Initiative before the CVE assignment. The attack vector specifically targets the SNMP functionality within PRTG's web interface, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated, allowing for script injection attacks that can bypass authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of web interface parameters that handle SNMP-related data processing. When administrators interact with the system through the web interface, particularly when configuring SNMP monitoring settings or viewing related data, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input values. This validation gap creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of the web application. The injection occurs at the point where user-supplied data is processed and rendered back to the browser, enabling attackers to craft malicious payloads that can exploit the authentication bypass. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the requirement for minimal administrator interaction, suggesting that the attack can be successful even when administrators are not actively engaged with the system. This characteristic aligns with the CWE-79 classification for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted input data that leads to script execution in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-12833 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with full administrative control over the PRTG monitoring infrastructure. Network administrators who rely on PRTG for critical infrastructure monitoring face significant risk, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive monitoring data, modify system configurations, or even manipulate network monitoring settings to hide malicious activities. The authentication bypass capability means that attackers could potentially access all features available to legitimate administrators, including the ability to add new users, modify existing configurations, or extract sensitive data from the monitoring system. The requirement for some administrator interaction suggests that the attack might occur during routine administrative tasks, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected for extended periods. This vulnerability poses a particular risk to organizations that depend heavily on network monitoring for security operations, as it could undermine the integrity of their monitoring infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that address both the input validation weakness and the authentication bypass mechanism. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches as soon as they become available, which typically address the specific validation gaps in the web interface components. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit network-adjacent access to PRTG installations, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns may provide an additional layer of protection. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities or access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for PRTG administration interfaces and regularly reviewing access logs for signs of unauthorized access. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would likely include techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, as the authentication bypass enables attackers to assume administrative roles within the monitoring system. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar validation gaps in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure, as the underlying vulnerability pattern suggests potential for similar issues in other systems that process user-supplied data through web interfaces.