CVE-2022-27177 in ConsoleMe
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
A Python format string issue leading to information disclosure and potentially remote code execution in ConsoleMe for all versions prior to 1.2.2
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27177 represents a critical Python format string flaw in the ConsoleMe application that affects all versions prior to 1.2.2. This issue stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within Python's string formatting mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the application's logging and output functions. The vulnerability manifests when ConsoleMe processes user-provided data through format string operations without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious input to be interpreted as format specifiers rather than literal text. This fundamental flaw exists within the application's core logging and error reporting components where user input is directly incorporated into format strings without proper validation or escaping.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data. Attackers can craft malicious input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, which when processed through the vulnerable Python format string functions can reveal sensitive memory contents, potentially exposing system information, credentials, or other confidential data. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability can be particularly damaging as it may reveal internal application state, memory addresses, or other sensitive details that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The remote code execution potential emerges when attackers can manipulate the format string to overwrite memory locations or inject malicious code through controlled memory corruption, leveraging the inherent flexibility of Python's string formatting capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-27177 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant threat to the overall security posture of systems relying on ConsoleMe for access management and authentication services. Organizations using affected versions of ConsoleMe face potential exposure of privileged access tokens, session information, and other sensitive authentication data that could be extracted through successful exploitation. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers need only interact with the application's web interface or API endpoints to potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying systems. This threat is particularly concerning given that ConsoleMe is commonly used in enterprise environments for managing access to cloud resources and privileged accounts, making the potential impact of successful exploitation substantial. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions or API calls, making it accessible to attackers with minimal specialized tools or knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27177 primarily focus on upgrading to ConsoleMe version 1.2.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent format string injection attacks. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of their application architecture, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or sanitized before being processed through any string formatting operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of ConsoleMe services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, including monitoring for malformed requests or unexpected memory access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against format string injection attacks. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates the potential for attackers to leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, emphasizing the critical need for immediate remediation and ongoing security monitoring.