CVE-2022-4728 in Web
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2022
A vulnerability has been found in Graphite Web and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Cookie Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The name of the patch is 2f178f490e10efc03cd1d27c72f64ecab224eb23. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-216742 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4728 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within Graphite Web's Cookie Handler component, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in web application security architecture. This vulnerability resides in the handling of HTTP cookies and presents a significant risk to web applications that rely on Graphite Web for monitoring and visualization purposes. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates its potential for serious security implications within production environments where Graphite Web is deployed for operational monitoring and alerting systems.
The technical implementation of this cross site scripting vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the Cookie Handler module of Graphite Web. When the application processes HTTP cookies containing user-supplied data, it fails to adequately sanitize or encode the content before incorporating it into web responses. This insufficient sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through cookie values, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the cookie management functionality that Graphite Web uses to maintain user sessions and store application state information. According to CWE standards, this represents a classic cross site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which encompasses improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4728 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, access sensitive monitoring data, and compromise the integrity of operational dashboards. Organizations relying on Graphite Web for infrastructure monitoring face significant risks as attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to critical system metrics, alert configurations, and performance data. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers need only to craft malicious cookie values and convince users to visit affected pages or interact with the monitoring system. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Graphite Web serves as a central monitoring platform, as compromise of the system could lead to complete exposure of operational visibility and alerting mechanisms. The public disclosure of the exploit further amplifies the risk, as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills.
Security mitigation for CVE-2022-4728 requires immediate implementation of the provided patch identified by the commit hash 2f178f490e10efc03cd1d27c72f64ecab224eb23. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all Graphite Web installations, particularly those serving production monitoring environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and output encoding for cookie data, ensuring that user-supplied values cannot be executed as scripts within web contexts. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious cookie values and establish regular security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to web application attacks and session management compromises, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security controls beyond just patch management. Regular security training for administrators and developers should also emphasize the importance of secure cookie handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications built on or around Graphite Web.