CVE-2022-41572 in EyesOfNetwork
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2025
An issue was discovered in EyesOfNetwork (EON) through 5.3.11. Privilege escalation can be accomplished on the server because nmap can be run as root. The attacker achieves total control over the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41572 affects EyesOfNetwork version 5.3.11 and earlier, presenting a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows attackers to gain complete server control. This issue stems from the improper configuration of the nmap network scanning tool within the EyesOfNetwork environment, which can be executed with root privileges by unauthorized users. The EyesOfNetwork platform serves as a network monitoring and security information management system that aggregates network data from various sources including network scanning activities, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it directly impacts the system's core security functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the nmap execution capability with elevated privileges to perform unauthorized operations on the target server. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where a less-privileged user can elevate their access level to root or system administrator privileges. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism through which attackers can execute arbitrary commands with the highest possible system permissions, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls that should protect the system from unauthorized access. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 which addresses improper privileges and CWE-787 which covers out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the EyesOfNetwork server. Once exploited, the attacker can manipulate network monitoring data, disable security features, install malicious software, modify system configurations, and potentially use the compromised server as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The EyesOfNetwork platform typically operates as a centralized security monitoring solution, meaning that compromising the server effectively neutralizes the organization's ability to monitor and detect network intrusions. This vulnerability essentially transforms the security monitoring system from a protective tool into a potential entry point for further attacks, creating a dangerous situation where the attacker can manipulate the very system designed to detect and prevent unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41572 should focus on immediate privilege restriction and system hardening measures. Organizations must ensure that nmap execution is properly restricted and that only authorized users with appropriate privileges can execute network scanning operations. This includes implementing proper access controls, reviewing and limiting user permissions, and ensuring that any network scanning activities are performed with the minimum necessary privileges. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for all services and applications running on the EyesOfNetwork server, ensuring that no non-essential processes run with root privileges. The remediation process should also include regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities across the entire system infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage misconfigurations to gain elevated system access, making it crucial for organizations to implement proper security controls and monitoring to detect such unauthorized privilege elevation attempts.