CVE-2022-38463 in ServiceNow
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2022
ServiceNow through San Diego Patch 4b and Patch 6 allows reflected XSS in the logout functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38463 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within ServiceNow's authentication logout mechanism. This issue affects ServiceNow instances running through the San Diego patch series, specifically versions including Patch 4b and Patch 6, exposing organizations to potential exploitation through malicious web requests that manipulate the logout functionality. The vulnerability resides in how the system handles user input during the logout process, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary script code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted URL containing malicious script payloads and tricks users into clicking the link while authenticated to a ServiceNow instance. Upon clicking such a link, the system reflects the malicious script back to the user's browser through the logout functionality, bypassing normal security controls and potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the authenticated user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on manipulation of web services and application logic. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no persistent storage of malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-38463 extends beyond simple script execution, as authenticated users who fall victim to this attack could potentially be redirected to malicious websites, have their session cookies stolen, or be compelled to perform unauthorized actions within the ServiceNow environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify records, or even establish persistent access through session hijacking techniques. Organizations using ServiceNow platforms face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users have elevated privileges or access to critical business systems, as the attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond clicking a malicious link. The vulnerability's presence in multiple patch versions indicates a widespread issue affecting numerous ServiceNow deployments and highlights the importance of immediate patch management and security monitoring.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying the latest ServiceNow patches, implementing robust input validation and output encoding controls, and establishing network-based protections such as web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify potentially compromised user sessions and implement additional monitoring for suspicious logout-related activity. The mitigation strategy should include user education regarding phishing awareness and the dangers of clicking untrusted links, alongside technical controls that sanitize all user inputs before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of successful exploitation, and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in enterprise applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of delayed remediation in enterprise software environments.