CVE-2022-4257 in Web Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2022
A vulnerability was found in C-DATA Web Management System. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file cgi-bin/jumpto.php of the component GET Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument hostname leads to argument injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-214631.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4257 resides within the C-DATA Web Management System, a web-based interface for network management and monitoring. This critical security flaw manifests in the GET parameter handler component, specifically within the cgi-bin/jumpto.php file. The system's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input creates a dangerous pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the potential for arbitrary code execution or unauthorized access to network resources. The attack vector leverages the hostname parameter, which when improperly handled, allows attackers to inject malicious arguments that can alter the application's intended functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves argument injection attacks where an attacker can manipulate the hostname parameter to inject additional commands or parameters into the system's processing pipeline. This flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and sanitization, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of network management services. The disclosure of exploit code further amplifies the risk, as it removes the barrier to entry for potential attackers who may not possess advanced technical skills to develop the attack themselves. The vulnerability's presence in the cgi-bin directory indicates that it affects core system components rather than merely user-facing interfaces, increasing the potential attack surface and impact scope.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4257 is severe for organizations relying on C-DATA Web Management Systems, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. Network administrators may find their management interfaces compromised, potentially allowing attackers to view, modify, or delete sensitive configuration data while gaining visibility into network traffic patterns and device configurations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and CWE-79, which addresses "Cross-site Scripting". The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and potentially T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers may leverage command injection capabilities to execute malicious code on the target system.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches, implementing network segmentation to isolate the affected system, and monitoring network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strengthened through proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly filtered and escaped before processing. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. The vulnerability's disclosure status necessitates urgent action, as attackers may be actively exploiting this weakness in the wild. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems and ensure comprehensive protection across the entire infrastructure.