CVE-2022-42897 in ArrayOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2022
Array Networks AG/vxAG with ArrayOS AG before 9.4.0.469 allows unauthenticated command injection that leads to privilege escalation and control of the system. NOTE: ArrayOS AG 10.x is unaffected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42897 affects Array Networks AG/vxAG appliances running ArrayOS AG versions prior to 9.4.0.469, representing a critical command injection flaw that bypasses authentication requirements. This vulnerability resides within the web management interface of the appliance and allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges without requiring valid credentials. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied data, specifically within parameters used for system configuration and monitoring functions. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-77 and CWE-94, which respectively address command injection and code injection flaws, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that enable attackers to execute malicious code on target systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of input parameters that are directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable appliance, result in unauthorized command execution. The impact extends beyond simple command injection as it leads to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected system. This represents a significant operational risk as it provides adversaries with complete system compromise capabilities, including access to network monitoring data, configuration files, and the ability to modify or disable security features. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any attacker with network access to the appliance.
From an operational perspective, the implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on Array Networks appliances for network security and monitoring. The ability to achieve privilege escalation without authentication creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt network operations. The affected systems could serve as launch points for lateral movement within networks, enabling attackers to compromise additional systems and escalate their access privileges further. Organizations utilizing these appliances may face regulatory compliance violations and potential data breaches if the vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where network monitoring and security appliances are critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's presence in ArrayOS AG versions 9.3.x and earlier, while 10.x versions remain unaffected, indicates that the issue was addressed in subsequent releases through improved input validation and sanitization measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42897 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest ArrayOS AG 9.4.0.469 or later versions, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these appliances, restricting management interfaces to trusted networks and implementing strict access controls. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for organizations following MITRE ATT&CK framework assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts.