IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2018-19410|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor Local File Inclusion Vulnerability

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create users with read-write privileges (including administrator).

Published Nov 21, 2018 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2025-02-25 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This vulnerability affects Paessler PRTG Network Monitor. PRTG Network Monitor before 18.2.40.1683 allows remote unauthenticated attackers to create users with read-write privileges (including administrator). A remote unauthenticated user can craft an HTTP request and override attributes of the 'include' directive in /public/login.htm and perform a Local File Inclusion attack, by including /api/addusers and executing it. By providing the 'id' and 'users' parameters, an unauthenticated attacker can create a user with read-write privileges (including administrator). Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

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Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running prtg network monitor: v < 18.2.40.1683
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-02-04 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2025-02-25.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.paessler.com/prtg/history/prtg-18#18.2.41.1652
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-19410
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-19410
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