CVE-2023-38095
Netgear Prosafe Network Management System ≤ 1.7.0.20
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2023-38095 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Netgear Prosafe Network Management System. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 0.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-3 (Malicious Code Protection) and CM-7 (Least Functionality) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
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-2023-38095 is an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the MFileUploadController class of NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data during file uploads and permits remote code execution on affected installations. Although the vulnerability requires authentication, the existing mechanism can be bypassed, enabling an attacker to run arbitrary code in the context of the SYSTEM account. The issue was originally reported as ZDI-CAN-19717 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8.
Remote attackers who can reach the management interface may exploit the weakness to upload malicious files and achieve code execution without valid credentials. Successful exploitation grants full control over the affected system, including the ability to install additional tools, modify data, or pivot within the network.
NETGEAR has published security advisory PSV-2023-0024 addressing this and related issues in ProSAFE Network Management System; the advisory and corresponding Zero Day Initiative report ZDI-23-921 direct administrators to apply the vendor-supplied updates available through the NETGEAR knowledge base. The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.1909 since disclosure, indicating no material increase in observed exploitation interest.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-41921
Vulnerability Data
NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System MFileUploadController Unrestricted File Upload Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the…
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existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the MFileUploadController class. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can allow the upload of arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-19717.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V5.1.1
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Malicious-code protection at entry points blocks dangerous file types from being accepted and executed.
Least functionality restricts the file types and automatic processing capabilities the system will accept.
Mobile-code controls define, authorize, and block unacceptable uploaded code before automatic processing occurs.
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.
Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.
Secure development practices include input validation and file-type restrictions that prevent this weakness.
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.
Configuration and acceptance testing verify that file-upload handling enforces allowed types and does not permit dangerous content to be stored or executed.
Secure-coding guidelines and security testing explicitly address restrictions on allowed file types and upload handling, reducing the risk that dangerous file uploads are accepted without validation.
Mandated testing for malicious content and known vulnerabilities reduces the likelihood that an outsourced component will contain or accept dangerous file types that could later be uploaded or executed.
Application allow-listing and pre-use scanning of received files directly blocks the introduction of executable content that has not been vetted, eliminating the primary vector for unrestricted dangerous file uploads.