CVE-2023-38098
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:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-38098 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 Data Obfuscation (T1001); ranked in the top 4% 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-2023-38098 is an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the UpLoadServlet class of NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data, enabling arbitrary file uploads that result in remote code execution. It carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 and is tracked under CWE-434.
Remote attackers can exploit the issue to run arbitrary code in the context of the SYSTEM account. Although the vulnerability requires authentication, the existing mechanism can be bypassed, allowing unauthenticated access to the upload functionality over the network.
NETGEAR has published a security advisory (PSV-2023-0024) detailing multiple vulnerabilities in the ProSAFE Network Management System and providing remediation guidance. The Zero Day Initiative also released advisory ZDI-23-918 on the same issue. The associated EPSS score reached a peak of 0.7936 in December 2025 before receding to its current value of 0.7441, indicating sustained exploitation interest following disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-41924
Vulnerability Data
NETGEAR ProSAFE Network Management System UpLoadServlet 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 UpLoadServlet 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-19720.
- 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.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.
Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.
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.