CVE-2022-23732 in GitHub
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
A path traversal vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server management console that allowed the bypass of CSRF protections. This could potentially lead to privilege escalation. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to target a user that was actively logged into the management console. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.5 and was fixed in versions 3.1.19, 3.2.11, 3.3.6, 3.4.1. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-23732 represents a critical path traversal flaw within GitHub Enterprise Server's management console interface that fundamentally undermines the platform's security controls. This issue specifically targets the server's cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms, creating a dangerous bypass condition that could enable unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists in the way the management console processes certain file paths and request parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the system's path resolution logic to access restricted resources that should only be available to authenticated administrators. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit directly, though it does necessitate that a victim be actively logged into the management console for successful execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and path handling within the server's administrative interface. When processing certain API requests or console operations, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This path traversal capability effectively bypasses the CSRF protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized actions from being executed on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities in software systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive administrative functions, potentially gaining access to system configuration files, user data, or administrative controls that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data compromise and system control loss within GitHub Enterprise Server environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges within the management console, potentially leading to complete system compromise or unauthorized access to source code repositories, user credentials, and administrative configurations. The requirement for an active user session means that exploitation would typically occur through social engineering or targeted attacks against legitimate users, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access the console. This scenario creates a vector for sophisticated attacks that could lead to persistent access or data exfiltration, with potential implications for organizations relying on GitHub Enterprise for their software development workflows and code management.
Organizations affected by CVE-2022-23732 should immediately implement the recommended mitigations to protect their GitHub Enterprise Server installations. The primary solution involves upgrading to one of the patched versions: 3.1.19, 3.2.11, 3.3.6, or 3.4.1, depending on the current version in use. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual administrative activities or access patterns within the management console, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and path handling in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where privilege escalation risks are highest. Security teams should review their existing security controls to ensure that similar path traversal vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of their GitHub Enterprise deployments or related systems, as this type of vulnerability is often indicative of broader security weaknesses in application design and implementation.
This vulnerability also highlights important considerations for the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically demonstrating how path traversal can be leveraged to bypass security controls and gain elevated system access. The attack vector requires user interaction through an active session, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering and user manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional access controls for management consoles to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The fact that this vulnerability was discovered through the GitHub Bug Bounty program underscores the importance of coordinated disclosure and responsible vulnerability reporting in maintaining software security. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous security assessment and the importance of keeping enterprise systems updated with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by threat actors.