CVE-2021-47772: Network Inventory Explorer RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2021-47772 Overview

CVE-2021-47772 is a buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write) affecting 10-Strike Network Inventory Explorer Pro version 9.31. The vulnerability exists in the text file import functionality, allowing attackers to craft malicious text files that trigger memory corruption and enable remote code execution on target systems.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially establishing reverse shells and gaining full control over affected workstations running the vulnerable network inventory software.

Affected Products

• 10-Strike Network Inventory Explorer Pro 9.31
• Systems using the text file import functionality
• Windows environments running vulnerable versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-15 - CVE CVE-2021-47772 published to NVD
• 2026-01-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2021-47772

Vulnerability Analysis

This buffer overflow vulnerability resides in the text file import functionality of 10-Strike Network Inventory Explorer Pro 9.31. When the application processes specially crafted text files, it fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This out-of-bounds write condition (CWE-787) allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, including critical control structures such as return addresses and function pointers.

The local attack vector requires user interaction, as the victim must import a malicious text file through the application's import feature. However, this can be achieved through social engineering tactics such as sending the malicious file via email or hosting it on a compromised network share.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper bounds checking in the text file parsing routine. When processing imported text files, the application allocates a fixed-size buffer but does not verify that incoming data fits within the allocated space. This allows carefully crafted input to overflow the buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent memory structures and potentially hijacking program execution flow.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access and user interaction to exploit. An attacker must convince a user to import a malicious text file into the Network Inventory Explorer Pro application. The crafted payload within the text file contains carefully positioned data designed to overflow the input buffer, overwrite the saved return address on the stack, and redirect execution to attacker-controlled shellcode. This can result in a reverse shell connection or arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the user running the application.

The vulnerability can be delivered through various social engineering techniques, including phishing emails with malicious attachments, compromised network shares, or USB drive-based attacks targeting enterprise environments where the inventory software is deployed.

Detection Methods for CVE-2021-47772

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or instability in 10-Strike Network Inventory Explorer Pro application
• Unusual outbound network connections from systems running the inventory software
• Presence of abnormally large or malformed .txt files in import directories
• Evidence of shellcode execution or reverse shell connections originating from workstations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system activity for suspicious text file imports into the Network Inventory Explorer Pro application
• Implement endpoint detection rules for buffer overflow exploitation patterns and return-oriented programming (ROP) chains
• Deploy application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution from the application context
• Use memory protection technologies like DEP/ASLR bypass detection

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for file import operations in network inventory software
• Configure SIEM alerts for anomalous process behavior from 10-Strike application executables
• Monitor for suspicious child processes spawned by the inventory application
• Track outbound connections to unusual ports or IP addresses from systems running vulnerable software

How to Mitigate CVE-2021-47772

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the text file import functionality to trusted administrators only
• Disable or remove the vulnerable application from systems until a patch is available
• Implement strict file import policies and validate all text files before importing
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting buffer overflow exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Organizations should check the 10-Strike Security Tools vendor website for updated versions that address this vulnerability. Until a patch is available, apply the workarounds listed below to reduce exposure risk.

Technical details and proof-of-concept information are available through Exploit-DB #50472.

Workarounds

• Disable the text file import feature if not required for business operations
• Implement application sandboxing to contain potential exploitation attempts
• Restrict network connectivity for systems running the vulnerable software
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for exploitation attempts
• Train users to avoid importing text files from untrusted sources

# Windows Firewall rule to restrict outbound connections from vulnerable application
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block Network Inventory Explorer Outbound" ^
  dir=out program="C:\Program Files\10-Strike\Network Inventory Explorer\nwkinv.exe" ^
  action=block

# Restrict file import directory permissions (PowerShell)
$acl = Get-Acl "C:\ImportDirectory"
$acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($true, $false)
Set-Acl "C:\ImportDirectory" $acl