CVE-2022-22333 in Sterling External Authentication Server
Summary
by MITRE • 02/23/2022
IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server are vulnerable a buffer overflow, due to the Jetty based GUI in the Secure Zone not properly validating the sizes of the form content and/or HTTP headers submitted. A local attacker positioned inside the Secure Zone could submit a specially crafted HTTP request to disrupt service. IBM X-Force ID: 219133.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22333 affects IBM Sterling Secure Proxy versions 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 along with IBM Sterling External Authentication Server systems. This represents a critical buffer overflow condition that stems from inadequate input validation within the Jetty-based graphical user interface component of the Secure Zone. The flaw exists specifically in how the system processes form content and HTTP headers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors within the trusted network perimeter. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a serious security weakness in software design and implementation practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Jetty-based GUI component fails to properly validate the size limits of incoming HTTP requests and form data submissions. When a local attacker within the Secure Zone crafts and submits maliciously sized HTTP headers or form content, the system's buffer management mechanisms cannot handle the excessive data volume, leading to memory corruption and potential service disruption. The buffer overflow condition specifically affects the web interface components that process user inputs, creating a scenario where legitimate system operations can be interrupted or compromised. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no external network access and can be exploited by an attacker who already has access to the internal network segment.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks within the network environment. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to cause denial of service conditions that might affect critical business processes relying on the secure proxy infrastructure. The vulnerability's location within the Secure Zone means that it could be leveraged to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to network resources that would otherwise be protected by the security controls. Organizations using these IBM products face significant risk if not addressed promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or compromised internal systems that have access to the Secure Zone network segment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22333 should include immediate application of vendor-provided security patches and updates to the affected IBM Sterling Secure Proxy and External Authentication Server versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential attack surface within the Secure Zone environment. Implementing additional input validation measures and monitoring for unusual HTTP header sizes or form content patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable Jetty components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploitation of remote services, and represents a clear example of how internal network vulnerabilities can be leveraged to compromise enterprise security infrastructure. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other components of the IBM Sterling product suite and related infrastructure.