📄 Description (English)
Nsauditor 3.0.28.0 contains a structured exception handling buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying malicious input to the DNS Lookup tool. Attackers can craft a payload with SEH chain overwrite and inject shellcode through the DNS Query field to achieve code execution with application privileges.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2018-25213 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in Nsauditor 3.0.28.0 that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code through the DNS Lookup tool via SEH chain exploitation. With a CVSS score of 8.4 and publicly available exploits, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using this network auditing tool. No patch is currently available, requiring immediate mitigation through alternative controls or tool replacement.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 24, 2026 06:59
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi government agencies, telecommunications companies (STC), and financial institutions that utilize Nsauditor for network security assessments and auditing. Government entities under NCA oversight and ARAMCO's IT infrastructure are at elevated risk if Nsauditor is deployed in their network assessment toolkits. The local execution requirement limits exposure but poses critical risk in shared administrative environments or when used by privileged users. Banking sector organizations conducting internal security audits face potential compromise of audit integrity and lateral movement opportunities.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government & Public Administration
Banking & Financial Services
Telecommunications
Energy & Utilities
Healthcare
Defense & Security
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Inventory all systems running Nsauditor 3.0.28.0 and isolate affected machines from production networks if possible
2. Restrict access to Nsauditor to trusted administrators only; implement principle of least privilege
3. Disable DNS Lookup functionality within Nsauditor if alternative tools are available
4. Monitor for suspicious process execution originating from Nsauditor processes
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Replace Nsauditor with patched alternatives (upgrade to version >3.0.28.0 if available, or use alternative tools like Nmap, Zmap, or commercial equivalents)
2. Implement application whitelisting to prevent arbitrary code execution from Nsauditor directory
3. Run Nsauditor in isolated virtual machines with restricted privileges
4. Deploy Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) on systems running Nsauditor
5. Use AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to restrict execution
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for Nsauditor.exe spawning unexpected child processes (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe)
2. Alert on SEH chain modifications or structured exception handling exploits
3. Track DNS query field inputs exceeding normal length thresholds (>256 bytes)
4. Monitor for memory access violations or access denied errors from Nsauditor process
5. Implement YARA rule: detect shellcode patterns in DNS query parameters
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حصر جميع الأنظمة التي تعمل بـ Nsauditor 3.0.28.0 وعزل الأجهزة المتأثرة عن شبكات الإنتاج إن أمكن
2. تقييد الوصول إلى Nsauditor للمسؤولين الموثوقين فقط؛ تطبيق مبدأ أقل امتياز
3. تعطيل وظيفة البحث عن DNS في Nsauditor إذا كانت أدوات بديلة متاحة
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات المريبة من عمليات Nsauditor
الضوابط البديلة:
1. استبدال Nsauditor بالبدائل المصححة (الترقية إلى إصدار >3.0.28.0 إن توفر، أو استخدام أدوات بديلة مثل Nmap أو Zmap)
2. تطبيق قائمة بيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع تنفيذ أكواد عشوائية من دليل Nsauditor
3. تشغيل Nsauditor في آلات افتراضية معزولة بامتيازات محدودة
4. نشر Data Execution Prevention و Address Space Layout Randomization على الأنظمة التي تعمل بـ Nsauditor
5. استخدام AppLocker أو Windows Defender Application Control لتقييد التنفيذ
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة Nsauditor.exe لإنشاء عمليات فرعية غير متوقعة
2. التنبيه على تعديلات سلسلة SEH أو استغلالات معالجة الاستثناءات
3. تتبع مدخلات حقل استعلام DNS التي تتجاوز حدود الطول العادية
4. مراقبة انتهاكات الوصول إلى الذاكرة من عملية Nsauditor
5. تطبيق قاعدة YARA للكشف عن أنماط shellcode
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.5.2.1 - User access management and privilege control
A.5.3.1 - Asset management and inventory control
A.5.4.1 - Access control and authentication mechanisms
A.5.7.1 - Cryptography and secure communications
A.5.8.1 - Malware protection and detection
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - vulnerability management program
Information & Cybersecurity - secure software development and patch management
Operational Resilience - incident detection and response capabilities
Third-party Risk Management - software supply chain security
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment
A.16.1.5 - Response to information security incidents
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
Requirement 11.2 - Run automated vulnerability scans
Requirement 12.2 - Implement configuration standards
🔗 References & Sources 4
🔗
http://www.nsauditor.com
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Product
🔗
http://www.nsauditor.com/downloads/nsauditor_setup.exe
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Product
🔗
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46005
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Exploit
VDB Entry
🔗
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/nsauditor-local-seh-buffer-overflow
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Third Party Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
nsasoft:nsauditor:3.0.28