CVE-2025-32979 is a vulnerability identified in NETSCOUT's nGeniusONE software versions prior to 6.4.0 b2350. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to perform arbitrary file creation on the affected system. This means that users with valid credentials can create files in locations that may not be intended or authorized, potentially leading to unauthorized modification or insertion of malicious files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-378, which pertains to improper file permissions or controls that allow unauthorized file creation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N) reveals that the attack can be executed remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), requires privileges of an authenticated user (PR:L), does not require user interaction (UI:N), affects only the integrity of the system (I:H) without impacting confidentiality or availability, and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches or mitigation links have been provided yet. The vulnerability's impact is primarily on the integrity of the system, as arbitrary file creation could allow an attacker to insert malicious scripts, configuration files, or other data that could alter system behavior or facilitate further attacks. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, it is less likely to be exploited by external unauthenticated attackers but poses a risk from insider threats or compromised credentials. NETSCOUT nGeniusONE is a network performance management and service assurance platform widely used by enterprises and service providers to monitor and analyze network traffic and performance metrics. The ability to create arbitrary files could undermine the trustworthiness of monitoring data or enable persistence mechanisms for attackers within critical network infrastructure.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those relying on NETSCOUT nGeniusONE for critical network monitoring and management. The arbitrary file creation capability could allow attackers to tamper with monitoring data, inject malicious configurations, or establish backdoors, potentially leading to undetected network disruptions or data integrity issues. This could affect sectors such as telecommunications, finance, energy, and government agencies where network reliability and data accuracy are paramount. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface but raises concerns about insider threats or compromised credentials. If exploited, the integrity of network monitoring data could be compromised, leading to incorrect operational decisions or delayed incident response. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to facilitate lateral movement within the network or escalate privileges by planting malicious files that execute with higher permissions. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation, especially as threat actors often develop exploits for vulnerabilities with available technical details. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still warrants prompt attention to prevent potential misuse.

1. Implement strict access controls and monitoring for all authenticated users of nGeniusONE to minimize the risk of insider threats or credential compromise. 2. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the nGeniusONE platform to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. 3. Monitor file system changes on servers running nGeniusONE for unusual or unauthorized file creation activities, using file integrity monitoring tools tailored to detect suspicious patterns. 4. Restrict the permissions of nGeniusONE users to the minimum necessary to perform their roles, following the principle of least privilege. 5. Network segmentation should be applied to isolate the nGeniusONE management infrastructure from general user networks to limit exposure. 6. Regularly audit user accounts and sessions for anomalies or signs of compromise. 7. Stay informed about vendor updates and apply patches or security advisories as soon as they become available, since no patches are currently provided. 8. Consider deploying application whitelisting or endpoint protection solutions that can detect or block unauthorized file creation or execution on critical systems. 9. Conduct security awareness training focused on credential security and insider threat risks for personnel with access to nGeniusONE. 10. Prepare incident response plans that include procedures for detecting and responding to potential exploitation of this vulnerability.