CVE-2022-38628 in Linear eMerge E3
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2022
Nortek Linear eMerge E3-Series 0.32-08f, 0.32-07p, 0.32-07e, 0.32-09c, 0.32-09b, 0.32-09a, and 0.32-08e were discovered to contain a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability which is chained with a local session fixation. This vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38628 affects Nortek Linear eMerge E3-Series devices running firmware versions 0.32-08f, 0.32-07p, 0.32-07e, 0.32-09c, 0.32-09b, 0.32-09a, and 0.32-08e. This represents a critical security flaw that combines two distinct attack vectors to create a sophisticated threat scenario. The device operates as a security management system that controls access to building entry points, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized physical access. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and session management mechanisms within the web interface of these security devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the device's web interface. This XSS vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are reflected back to users without proper encoding or validation. The vulnerability is chained with a local session fixation issue, where the device fails to properly regenerate session identifiers upon successful authentication, creating a scenario where an attacker can hijack authenticated sessions. This combination creates a particularly dangerous attack surface as the initial XSS payload can be used to establish a foothold, followed by session fixation to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 for cross-site scripting and CWE-384 for session fixation, both of which are well-documented in the Common Weakness Enumeration database and represent fundamental web application security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption to encompass serious physical security risks. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the security device, allowing them to modify access control policies, grant unauthorized entry permissions, or disable security features entirely. The chained nature of the attack means that even if an attacker initially only gains a reflected XSS payload execution, they can leverage the session fixation component to maintain persistent access and perform more extensive attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of physical security systems, potentially compromising the security of buildings, facilities, and the individuals within them. The attack scenario follows typical ATT&CK framework patterns for privilege escalation and persistence, with initial access through XSS followed by session manipulation to maintain control over the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the XSS and session fixation components of the flaw. Immediate remediation efforts should involve firmware updates from Nortek Linear that include proper input validation mechanisms and session management improvements. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate these devices from critical network segments, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential lateral movement. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual session creation patterns or script injection attempts. Access controls should be strengthened through multi-factor authentication implementation where possible, and regular security audits should be conducted to ensure proper configuration of the device interfaces. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to help detect and prevent XSS payloads targeting these specific devices, while maintaining detailed logging of all administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.