CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2018-19410Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor Local File Inclusion

CVE-2018-19410 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Prtg Network Monitor from Paessler, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 18.2.40.1683 as the first without the flaw, so updating Prtg Network Monitor to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on February 4, 2025, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Update Prtg Network Monitor to 18.2.40.1683 or a later version.
  2. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
PaesslerPrtg Network Monitorbefore 18.2.40.168318.2.40.1683

Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCISA (ADP)
CVSS 2.07.5HighNVD

Official description

PRTG Network Monitor before 18.2.40.1683 allows remote unauthenticated attackers to create users with read-write privileges (including administrator). A remote unauthenticated user can craft an HTTP request and override attributes of the 'include' directive in /public/login.htm and perform a Local File Inclusion attack, by including /api/addusers and executing it. By providing the 'id' and 'users' parameters, an unauthenticated attacker can create a user with read-write privileges (including administrator).

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  4. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Prtg Network Monitor

All Prtg Network Monitor vulnerabilities

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