CVE-2022-4636 in KVM ACR1000A-R-R2
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2023
Black Box KVM Firmware version 3.4.31307 on models ACR1000A-R-R2, ACR1000A-T-R2, ACR1002A-T, ACR1002A-R, and ACR1020A-T is vulnerable to path traversal, which may allow an attacker to steal user credentials and other sensitive information through local file inclusion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4636 affects Black Box KVM firmware version 3.4.31307 across multiple hardware models including ACR1000A-R-R2, ACR1000A-T-R2, ACR1002A-T, ACR1002A-R, and ACR1020A-T. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits path traversal mechanisms within the firmware implementation, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data access and credential theft. The affected devices operate as KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches that manage remote access to connected computers, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking privileged access to networked systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the firmware's file handling routines, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and access restricted system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through local file inclusion attacks that exploit improper validation of file path parameters. When the firmware processes user input for file operations, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the paths, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This allows unauthorized access to sensitive files including configuration data, user credentials, and system logs that should remain protected. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based management interfaces or direct network communication protocols used by the KVM devices. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal, which describes the condition where applications fail to properly validate file paths, allowing attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4636 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can extract user credentials stored in configuration files, potentially gaining access to multiple systems within the network that rely on these KVM switches for remote management. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Accessing/Intercepting Network Traffic, where adversaries can intercept and manipulate communications between management interfaces and target systems. Additionally, the vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks through access to system-level files, potentially allowing attackers to modify firmware configurations or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. Organizations using these KVM switches face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive network resources, particularly in environments where physical security controls are already compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4636 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should prioritize firmware updates from Black Box to address the path traversal vulnerability, ensuring all affected devices receive the latest security patches. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit management interface access to authorized personnel only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Regular security audits of KVM device configurations and monitoring of unusual file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known path traversal patterns provides additional defense-in-depth layers. Security practitioners should also consider disabling unnecessary management interfaces and implementing strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication for all administrative access points. According to NIST SP 800-53 security controls, organizations should implement access control policies and audit logging to monitor and protect against unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure components. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of networked KVM devices help identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure ongoing security effectiveness.