CVE-2022-43712 in XperienCentral
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2023
POST requests to /web/mvc in GX Software XperienCentral version 10.36.0 and earlier were not blocked for uses that are not logged in. If an unauthorized user is able to bypass other security filters they are able to post unauthorized data to the server because of CVE-2022-22965.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-43712 affects GX Software XperienCentral version 10.36.0 and earlier, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the application's security posture. This issue manifests through POST requests directed to the /web/mvc endpoint, which should require proper authentication but fails to enforce access controls for unauthorized users. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with CVE-2022-22965, a separate but related vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass security filters and exploit the authorization gap. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's MVC framework, creating an attack vector where malicious actors can submit unauthorized data to server endpoints without proper authentication. This represents a direct violation of security principle 14 from the OWASP Top 10 2021, which addresses access control vulnerabilities, and aligns with CWE-285, which covers improper authorization in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker first bypassing existing security measures through CVE-2022-22965, which typically involves leveraging a remote code execution or command injection vulnerability to gain initial access. Once the attacker has established a foothold, they can utilize the authorization bypass to send POST requests to the /web/mvc endpoint without proper authentication. This allows for unauthorized data manipulation, potential information disclosure, and in severe cases, complete system compromise. The vulnerability exists because the application's security filters fail to properly validate user credentials before processing POST requests, creating a persistent authorization gap that can be exploited repeatedly. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core application functionality and allows for data injection attacks that can potentially escalate to privilege escalation or data manipulation within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-43712 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform data manipulation operations that can compromise the integrity and availability of the affected system. Organizations using GX Software XperienCentral version 10.36.0 or earlier face significant risk of unauthorized data modification, potential data exfiltration, and system integrity compromise. The vulnerability can be leveraged to inject malicious content, manipulate application data, or potentially establish persistence within the system. From an attack lifecycle perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage, T1566 for phishing, and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use the authorization bypass to execute malicious commands or scripts. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that rely on XperienCentral for business-critical applications, as unauthorized data manipulation can lead to financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-43712 require immediate action to address both the primary vulnerability and the underlying authorization issues. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to a patched version of GX Software XperienCentral that resolves both CVE-2022-43712 and CVE-2022-22965, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. In the interim, administrators should implement additional security controls including network-level access restrictions, enhanced monitoring of POST requests to the /web/mvc endpoint, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any additional bypasses or related vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. The remediation process should include comprehensive log analysis to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implementation of proper input validation and access control checks that align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, specifically focusing on access control and audit logging controls. Additionally, organizations should review their security configurations to ensure that all endpoints properly enforce authentication and authorization checks, particularly for MVC framework components that handle user data submissions.