CVE-2017-20203

critical

Description

NetSarang Xmanager Enterprise 5.0 Build 1232, Xmanager 5.0 Build 1045, Xshell 5.0 Build 1322, Xftp 5.0 Build 1218, and Xlpd 5.0 Build 1220 contain a malicious nssock2.dll that implements a multi-stage, DNS-based backdoor. The dormant library contacts a C2 DNS server via a specially crafted TXT record for a month‑generated domain. After receiving a decryption key, it then downloads and executes arbitrary code, creates an encrypted virtual file system (VFS) in the registry, and grants the attacker full remote code execution, data exfiltration, and persistence. NetSarang released builds for each product line that remediated the compromise: Xmanager Enterprise Build 1236, Xmanager Build 1049, Xshell Build 1326, Xftp Build 1222, and Xlpd Build 1224. Kaspersky Lab identified an instance of exploitation in the wild in August 2017.

References

https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netsarang-malicious-backdoor-supply-chain-compromise

https://web.archive.org/web/20181022035109/https://www.netsarang.com/news/security_exploit_in_july_18_2017_build.html

https://usa.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/shadowpad-attackers-hid-backdoor-in-software-used-by-hundreds-of-large-companies-worldwide

https://securelist.com/shadowpad-in-corporate-networks/81432/

Details

Source: Mitre, NVD

Published: 2025-10-09

Updated: 2026-04-15

Risk Information

CVSS v2

Base Score: 8.3

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:C

Severity: High

CVSS v3

Base Score: 9.8

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Severity: Critical

CVSS v4

Base Score: 9.3

Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:N

Severity: Critical

EPSS

EPSS: 0.00325