CVE-2023-47565 is an OS command injection vulnerability identified in QNAP Systems Inc.'s VioStor NVR devices running QVR Firmware 4.x. The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in OS commands, classified under CWE-78, allowing authenticated users to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system remotely via network access. This vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require authentication with at least limited privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, indicating high severity, with attack vector as adjacent network, low attack complexity, and privileges required as low. Successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of the device, enabling attackers to manipulate video surveillance data, disrupt service availability, or pivot into internal networks. QNAP has released patches in QVR Firmware 5.0.0 and later versions to remediate this issue. No public exploits or active exploitation campaigns have been reported to date, but the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant risk for organizations relying on these legacy devices.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized command execution on critical video surveillance infrastructure, leading to potential data breaches, manipulation or deletion of surveillance footage, and disruption of security monitoring capabilities. This could undermine physical security, cause operational downtime, and expose organizations to regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The ability to execute commands remotely with low privileges and no user interaction increases the risk of lateral movement within corporate networks, potentially affecting broader IT systems. Sectors such as transportation, government facilities, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely heavily on video surveillance are particularly vulnerable. The legacy nature of affected firmware versions means many devices may remain unpatched, increasing exposure risk.

European organizations should immediately identify all QNAP VioStor NVR devices running QVR Firmware 4.x and prioritize upgrading them to version 5.0.0 or later. Where immediate upgrade is not feasible, restrict network access to the management interfaces of these devices using network segmentation, firewalls, and VPNs to limit exposure to trusted users only. Implement strong authentication mechanisms and monitor device logs for unusual command execution or access patterns. Disable any unnecessary services on the NVR devices to reduce attack surface. Regularly audit and inventory IoT and surveillance devices to ensure timely patch management. Additionally, consider deploying intrusion detection systems tailored to detect command injection attempts on networked devices. Establish incident response plans specific to IoT and surveillance device compromise scenarios.