NetExtender: Privilege Defined With Unsafe Actions
CVE-2023-44218 is a high-severity privilege defined with unsafe actions vulnerability in NetExtender from SonicWall, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected NetExtender versions: 10.2.336 and earlier versions; 10.2.336 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of NetExtender you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on psirt.global.sonicwall.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| SonicWall | NetExtender | 10.2.336 and earlier versions; 10.2.336 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (sonicwall.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A flaw within the SonicWall NetExtender Pre-Logon feature enables an unauthorized user to gain access to the host Windows operating system with 'SYSTEM' level privileges, leading to a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Privilege Defined With Unsafe Actions
A particular privilege, role, capability, or right can be used to perform unsafe actions that were not intended, even when it is assigned to the correct entity.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
More Privilege Defined With Unsafe Actions vulnerabilities (CWE-267)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in NetExtender
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Privilege Defined With Unsafe Actions vulnerabilities
- 8.0 High severity
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