CVE-2022-24562 in IOTransfer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
In IOBit IOTransfer 4.3.1.1561, an unauthenticated attacker can send GET and POST requests to Airserv and gain arbitrary read/write access to the entire file-system (with admin privileges) on the victim's endpoint, which can result in data theft and remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24562 affects IOBit IOTransfer version 4.3.1.1561 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to gain full administrative access to target endpoints. This issue stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms within the Airserv component of the software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system without requiring valid credentials or prior access. The vulnerability resides in the service's handling of HTTP requests, specifically permitting both GET and POST operations that can be leveraged to perform arbitrary read and write operations across the entire file system. This fundamental flaw directly violates security principles by eliminating proper access controls that should normally restrict system-level operations to authorized users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to send crafted HTTP requests that bypass the normal authentication flow entirely, enabling them to execute commands with administrative privileges on the affected system. The flaw operates at the network service level where the Airserv component fails to properly validate incoming requests, creating an attack surface that permits unauthorized users to traverse the file system and access sensitive data or execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, specifically highlighting the dangerous consequences of allowing unauthenticated access to privileged operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no prior knowledge of valid credentials and can be exploited remotely, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape where attackers can perform complete system compromise through simple HTTP requests. The ability to achieve arbitrary read/write access means that threat actors can steal sensitive data, modify critical system files, install backdoors, and establish persistent access to the compromised endpoint. The potential for remote code execution combined with administrative privileges creates a complete compromise scenario that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script execution, while also enabling data theft through T1029. Organizations running affected versions of IOBit IOTransfer face significant exposure risks as this vulnerability can be exploited by anyone who can reach the service over the network, potentially allowing for large-scale attacks against multiple endpoints within a network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24562 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches or updates that address the authentication bypass flaw in the Airserv component. System administrators must ensure that all affected IOBit IOTransfer installations are updated to versions that properly implement authentication controls and validate incoming requests before processing them. Network-level protections should include firewall rules that restrict access to the Airserv service ports to trusted networks only, while also implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for robust access control measures to prevent unauthorized system access and privilege escalation.