CVE-2022-44875 in KioWare
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
KioWare through 8.33 on Windows sets KioScriptingUrlACL.AclActions.AllowHigh for the about:blank origin, which allows attackers to obtain SYSTEM access via KioUtils.Execute in JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2023
CVE-2022-44875 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting KioWare versions 8.33 and earlier on Windows systems. This vulnerability stems from an overly permissive access control list configuration that grants excessive privileges to the about:blank origin within the KioWare framework. The flaw specifically involves the KioScriptingUrlACL.AclActions.AllowHigh setting which inadvertently permits high-privilege operations for JavaScript code executed in the about:blank context, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited to achieve SYSTEM-level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the KioUtils.Execute JavaScript function which serves as an execution engine for commands within the KioWare environment. When JavaScript code is executed in the about:blank origin context, the AllowHigh ACL action permits the execution of privileged operations that would normally be restricted to system-level processes. This creates a path for attackers to escalate privileges from a standard user account to SYSTEM level access, effectively compromising the entire system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate scripting capabilities of KioWare while exploiting a misconfiguration that allows dangerous operations to proceed without proper privilege checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a complete compromise of system security boundaries. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible privileges, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly large given that KioWare is often deployed in kiosk and digital signage environments where user access is typically limited but system access remains critical. Organizations using KioWare in these contexts face significant risk as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain complete control over the affected systems without requiring elevated privileges initially.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-44875 should focus on immediate patching of affected KioWare versions to 8.34 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive contexts and monitoring for unusual KioUtils.Execute operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a privilege escalation technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and technique T1548.002 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism). Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their KioWare deployments and consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through web-based interfaces that KioWare may provide for management purposes.