Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-32782

RCE in Paessler Prtg Network Monitor ≤ 23.3.86.1520

Published
09 August 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.2
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.56 99th percentile
Risk Priority 75 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-32782 is a high-severity Command Injection (CWE-77) vulnerability in Paessler Prtg Network Monitor. Its CVSS base score is 7.2 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059); ranked in the top 1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2023-32782 is a command injection vulnerability, tracked under CWE-77, that affects the Dicom C-ECHO sensor in Paessler PRTG Network Monitor 23.2.84.1566 and earlier releases. The flaw allows an authenticated user with write permissions to misuse the sensor's debug option, resulting in the creation of new files that can subsequently be executed through the EXE/Script sensor. It carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 with a network attack vector, low complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

An attacker who already possesses the required account privileges can leverage the debug functionality to inject commands that write arbitrary files to the system. These files may then be invoked by the EXE/Script sensor, enabling the attacker to execute code and achieve full control over affected monitoring instances.

Paessler addressed the issue, along with other vulnerabilities, in PRTG version 23.3.86.1520. The vendor's knowledge base article and release history page recommend upgrading to the patched build to eliminate the exposure. The associated EPSS score has remained flat at 0.2563 with no material increase since disclosure.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

A command injection was identified in PRTG 23.2.84.1566 and earlier versions in the Dicom C-ECHO sensor where an authenticated user with write permissions could abuse the debug option to write new files that could potentially get executed by the EXE/Script…

more

sensor. The severity of this vulnerability is high and received a score of 7.2 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Execution
Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries.
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
T1059.001 PowerShell Execution
Adversaries may abuse PowerShell commands and scripts for execution.
T1059.003 Windows Command Shell Execution
Adversaries may abuse the Windows command shell for execution.
T1059.004 Unix Shell Execution
Adversaries may abuse Unix shell commands and scripts for execution.
T1059.008 Network Device CLI Execution
Adversaries may abuse scripting or built-in command line interpreters (CLI) on network devices to execute malicious command and payloads.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-32781Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2018-9276Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2023-31450Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2023-31449Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2023-31452Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2023-31448Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2023-51630Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2024-12833Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2025-67833Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor
CVE-2025-67834Same product: Paessler Prtg Network Monitor

Affected Assets

paessler
prtg network monitor
≤ 23.3.86.1520

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V1.2.3
  • V1.2.5
  • V1.2.8
  • V1.2.9

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices directly require input validation and neutralization that prevent command injection.

DE.CM-09 partial match
prevents

Runtime monitoring of software and data can detect anomalous command execution resulting from injection.

ID.RA-01 partial match
prevents

Identifying recorded vulnerabilities enables remediation of command-injection flaws before exploitation.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

prevents

Secure coding standards require proper escaping and parameterization of commands, directly eliminating CWE-77.

finds

Security testing in development catches command-injection vulnerabilities before release.

prevents

Secure development life cycle mandates input validation and command construction practices that directly prevent command injection.

prevents

Application security requirements explicitly call for controls against injection flaws including command injection.

prevents

Secure architecture principles reduce the attack surface but do not prescribe the specific neutralization techniques needed.

none

Environment separation limits the blast radius of an exploited command injection but does not prevent the flaw itself.

References