CVE-2025-32981 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting NETSCOUT nGeniusONE software versions prior to 6.4.0 b2350. The issue arises from insecure file permissions set on the nGeniusCLI executable, which allows local users with limited privileges to exploit these permissions. Specifically, the vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), indicating that the nGeniusCLI file is accessible or modifiable by unauthorized local users. This can lead to privilege escalation, where an attacker with local access can manipulate the executable or its environment to gain higher privileges or execute arbitrary code with elevated rights. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H), but no impact on availability (A:N). The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited by an authenticated local user, making it a significant risk in environments where multiple users have local access to systems running vulnerable versions of nGeniusONE. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the presence of insecure permissions on a critical network monitoring and diagnostic tool like nGeniusONE could allow attackers to manipulate network data or disrupt monitoring capabilities if exploited. The lack of patch links suggests that remediation may require vendor intervention or configuration changes to correct file permissions.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for enterprises and service providers relying on NETSCOUT nGeniusONE for network performance monitoring and diagnostics. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data, manipulation of diagnostic outputs, or disruption of network visibility, which in turn could hinder incident response and network management. This is particularly critical for sectors with stringent regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where confidentiality and integrity of network data are paramount. Additionally, since the vulnerability requires local access, environments with shared workstations, remote access, or insufficient endpoint security controls are at higher risk. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could escalate privileges to gain broader access within the network, potentially leading to lateral movement and further compromise. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details become widely known.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately audit and correct file permissions on the nGeniusCLI executable to ensure that only authorized administrative users have write and execute permissions. This can be done by applying strict access control lists (ACLs) or using operating system native permission management tools. 2) Restrict local user access to systems running nGeniusONE, enforcing the principle of least privilege and limiting the number of users with local login capabilities. 3) Implement endpoint protection solutions that monitor and alert on unauthorized changes to critical executables and configuration files. 4) Employ application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution or modification of nGeniusCLI. 5) Monitor system logs for unusual activities related to nGeniusCLI usage or permission changes. 6) Engage with NETSCOUT support to obtain official patches or guidance, and plan for timely upgrades to version 6.4.0 b2350 or later once available. 7) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation if exploitation attempts occur.