CVE-2025-24936 Overview
CVE-2025-24936 is an operating system (OS) command injection vulnerability [CWE-78] affecting Nokia WaveSuite NOC. The web application passes user-supplied input unfiltered to a command executed on the underlying operating system. An attacker with low-privileged access to the application can execute arbitrary commands in the context of the webserver process. The vulnerable component is bound to the network stack, allowing exploitation from adjacent network positions.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers on the adjacent network can execute arbitrary OS commands as the webserver user, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WaveSuite NOC host.
Affected Products
- Nokia WaveSuite NOC 23.6
- Nokia WaveSuite NOC 23.12
- Nokia WaveSuite NOC 24.6
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-21 - CVE-2025-24936 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2025-08-11 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24936
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in a web application component of Nokia WaveSuite NOC that accepts user input and forwards it to an OS shell or command interpreter without sanitization. WaveSuite NOC is a network operations center management application used to monitor and manage optical transport networks, so a compromised instance can expose privileged operational telemetry.
Because the affected component is bound to the network stack, the input reaches a system command execution path without filtering for shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, $(), or backticks. An attacker who already holds low-privileged credentials to the application can append shell directives to a legitimate request parameter and execute them inside the webserver context.
Successful exploitation gives the attacker the same filesystem, process, and network privileges as the webserver service account. From that position, attackers can read sensitive configuration data, pivot to managed network elements, or deploy persistence mechanisms on the host.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command [CWE-78]. The application concatenates user-controlled values into a command string without input validation, allow-listing, or use of safe APIs that separate command arguments from the command itself.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires adjacent network access (AV:A) and low-level authenticated privileges (PR:L), with no user interaction. The attacker submits a crafted request to a vulnerable application endpoint, injecting shell metacharacters into a parameter that is forwarded to the operating system. The scope is changed (S:C) because the webserver process executes commands beyond the application's intended security boundary. No public proof-of-concept code or active exploitation has been reported.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24936
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the WaveSuite NOC webserver process, such as sh, bash, nc, curl, wget, or python invocations.
- HTTP request logs containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, `, $()) inside parameters submitted by low-privileged accounts.
- Outbound network connections from the WaveSuite host to unrecognized external IP addresses or domains.
- New or modified files in webserver-writable directories, including scripts, cron entries, or SSH key material.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage on WaveSuite NOC servers and alert on the webserver service account launching shell interpreters or scripting runtimes.
- Inspect web application access logs for parameter values containing command separators or encoded equivalents (%3B, %7C, %26).
- Correlate authenticated user sessions with subsequent host-level command execution events occurring within seconds of the request.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WaveSuite NOC application, web, and OS audit logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
- Track outbound DNS and HTTP egress from management servers, which should normally communicate only with known network elements.
- Baseline normal command execution patterns of the webserver account and alert on deviations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24936
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version published in the Nokia Product Security Advisory for WaveSuite NOC 23.6, 23.12, and 24.6.
- Restrict network reachability to the WaveSuite NOC management interface using firewall rules and management VLAN segmentation.
- Audit application user accounts and remove or rotate credentials for any low-privileged users that are no longer required.
- Review webserver and OS logs for indicators of prior exploitation before patching.
Patch Information
Nokia has published remediation guidance in the Nokia Product Security Advisory for CVE-2025-24936. Administrators should consult the advisory for the exact fixed builds and upgrade procedures applicable to versions 23.6, 23.12, and 24.6.
Workarounds
- Place the WaveSuite NOC application behind a web application firewall configured to block shell metacharacters in request parameters.
- Limit access to the management interface to a dedicated administrative network and enforce multi-factor authentication on application accounts.
- Run the webserver process under a least-privilege service account with restricted filesystem and network capabilities until patching is complete.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
