External risk intelligence

Progress WhatsUp Gold Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2024-4885

A vulnerability in Progress WhatsUp Gold could enable an unauthenticated attacker to execute commands on affected systems. This presents a significant risk of unauthorized access and control over critical infrastructure, potentially leading to system compromise. Organizations are advised to apply vendor updates.

4Halo Surface Signal

Path Traversal

Progress Whatsup Gold

before 23.1.3

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2024-4885

Progress WhatsUp Gold is a network monitoring and management platform. Such software is commonly deployed as a centralized management service, often requiring accessibility across network segments or exposure to the internet for monitoring distributed infrastructure.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in Progress WhatsUp Gold could allow an attacker to execute commands on affected systems. This flaw exists within the export utilities of the software. The primary impact is the potential for unauthorized command execution with elevated privileges on the compromised systems.

  • WhatsUp Gold export utilities
  • Flaw allows unauthorized command execution
  • Potential for system compromise

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability exists within Progress WhatsUp Gold. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges by exploiting a weakness in the file export utility. The attack does not require any prior authentication to be successful, presenting a significant risk to affected organizations.

  • Network exposure required.
  • Attacker initiates command execution.
  • Control and impact result.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk due to its potential for remote code execution. An attacker could gain control of affected systems without needing any prior access or credentials. The ease with which this vulnerability can be exploited and the severity of potential compromise suggest a high level of business risk, indicating that it should be treated with urgency.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: None
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability allows for remote code execution with specific privileges on affected systems. An attacker can exploit this to run commands on the organization's network. The impact can include unauthorized access and control over critical infrastructure.

  • Find all deployed instances of the affected software.
  • Restrict network access to these instances.
  • Apply vendor updates and confirm the fix.
  • Monitor for suspicious activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is Progress WhatsUp Gold and how is it used?

Progress WhatsUp Gold is a network monitoring and management software. IT professionals use it to oversee and manage network infrastructure, ensuring devices and services operate effectively.

What kind of weakness is CVE-2024-4885 in WhatsUp Gold?

CVE-2024-4885 is classified as a Path Traversal weakness (CWE-22). This vulnerability in WhatsUp Gold's export utility could enable an attacker to access or modify unintended files and directories, potentially leading to command execution.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2024-4885?

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute commands with iisapppool\nmconsole privileges by leveraging the WhatsUp.ExportUtilities.Export.GetFileWithoutZip function.

What is the relevance of CVE-2024-4885 for network monitoring systems?

This vulnerability is relevant because WhatsUp Gold, as a network monitoring platform, is often deployed as a central management service and may require accessibility across network segments or exposure to the internet.

What are the recommended actions for addressing the WhatsUp Gold vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all instances of the affected software, restrict network access to these systems, apply vendor-provided updates, and monitor for any suspicious activity.

References