CVE-2025-32980: NETSCOUT nGeniusONE’s Weak Sudo Configuration Vulnerability

Overview

The vulnerability in question, CVE-2025-32980, is a significant flaw discovered in NETSCOUT nGeniusONE versions before 6.4.0 b2350. The presence of a weak sudo configuration in the software increases the risk of system compromise and data leakage. The vulnerability is of particular concern to organizations utilizing nGeniusONE for network performance management and cybersecurity, as a successful exploit could result in unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
With a CVSS severity score of 9.8, this vulnerability is considered critical. Therefore, understanding the issue and implementing recommended mitigation measures promptly is vital for maintaining a secure network environment.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-32980
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise and data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

NETSCOUT nGeniusONE | Before 6.4.0 b2350

How the Exploit Works

The weak sudo configuration vulnerability in NETSCOUT nGeniusONE allows an attacker to execute commands with root privileges. This is possible because of an insecure sudoers file that fails to restrict user access adequately. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by gaining low-level access to the system and then escalating their privileges to root. With root access, the attacker can manipulate the system, leading to data compromise or even complete system control.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This pseudocode represents a command-line interaction where the attacker exploits the weak sudo configuration:

# Gain low-level access to the system
$ ssh user@target.example.com
# Exploit the weak sudo configuration to escalate privileges to root
$ sudo -u root /bin/bash
# Now the attacker has root access and can perform any action on the system
$ whoami
root

This example is for illustrative purposes and does not represent an actual exploit code.
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply the vendor’s patch or use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation. However, applying the vendor’s patch should be the priority to ensure a long-term solution to this security issue.