CVE-2019-25546 Overview
CVE-2019-25546 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting NetAware version 1.20, a network monitoring application developed by Spytech-Web. The vulnerability exists in the Share Name field within the Manage Shares interface, where improper input validation allows local attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by supplying an excessively long string. When a user pastes a 1000-byte buffer into the Share Name parameter while adding a new share, the application crashes due to memory corruption.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can crash the NetAware application, causing service disruption and potential loss of network monitoring capabilities.
Affected Products
- Spytech-web NetAware version 1.20
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-21 - CVE-2019-25546 published to NVD
- 2026-03-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2019-25546
Vulnerability Analysis
This buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write) occurs when the NetAware application fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied input in the Share Name field. The application allocates a fixed-size buffer for the Share Name parameter but does not implement adequate bounds checking before copying user input into this buffer. When an attacker supplies input exceeding the allocated buffer size (approximately 1000 bytes), the data overwrites adjacent memory regions, corrupting application state and ultimately causing the process to crash.
The local attack vector requires an authenticated user or someone with direct access to the system running NetAware. While the vulnerability does not lead to information disclosure or system compromise, it effectively renders the network monitoring application inoperable until restarted.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2019-25546 is improper input validation in the Share Name field handler. The application does not enforce length restrictions on user input before copying it to a fixed-size buffer, resulting in a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition. This represents a failure to implement secure coding practices for memory-safe string handling operations.
Attack Vector
The attack requires local access to a system running NetAware 1.20. An attacker navigates to the Manage Shares interface within the application, initiates the process to add a new share, and pastes an oversized string (1000+ bytes) into the Share Name field. Upon submission or field processing, the buffer overflow triggers, causing the application to crash.
The vulnerability mechanism involves copying user input directly into a fixed-size buffer without proper length validation. When the input exceeds the buffer capacity, memory adjacent to the buffer is overwritten, corrupting stack frames or other critical data structures and resulting in application termination.
Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25546
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated or unexpected crashes of the NetAware application process
- Windows Event Log entries indicating application faults or access violations in NetAware
- Unusually long strings present in application configuration files or logs related to share names
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for application crash events associated with NetAware processes using endpoint detection tools
- Implement file integrity monitoring on NetAware configuration directories to detect manipulation
- Configure alerts for repeated process termination events from NetAware executables
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows Error Reporting to capture crash dump files for forensic analysis
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous application behavior
- Monitor system stability metrics for systems running NetAware to detect denial of service patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25546
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict local access to systems running NetAware 1.20 to authorized personnel only
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized users from interacting with NetAware
- Consider discontinuing use of NetAware 1.20 if no patch is available from the vendor
- Deploy endpoint protection solutions to monitor for exploitation attempts
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is currently available for CVE-2019-25546. Organizations should contact Spytech-Web directly for remediation guidance or consider alternative network monitoring solutions. Technical details about the vulnerability can be found in the Exploit-DB #46909 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory.
Workarounds
- Limit user access to the Manage Shares interface through operating system permissions
- Run NetAware under a restricted user account with minimal privileges
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable NetAware installations
- Consider deploying application-level firewalls or access controls to restrict interface access
# Example: Restrict access to NetAware installation directory
# Windows - Set restrictive NTFS permissions
icacls "C:\Program Files\NetAware" /inheritance:r /grant:r "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
