CVE-2022-4797 in memos
Summary
by MITRE • 12/28/2022
Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in GitHub repository usememos/memos prior to 0.9.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4797 represents a critical security flaw in the usememos/memos repository software that affects versions prior to 0.9.1. This issue falls under the category of improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts, which is classified as CWE-307. The vulnerability exists within the authentication mechanism of the memos application, specifically in how it handles failed login attempts and session management. The flaw allows malicious actors to potentially exploit the system through repeated authentication attempts without adequate rate limiting or account lockout mechanisms. This weakness creates an environment where automated brute force attacks can systematically target user credentials, undermining the overall security posture of the application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication functionality that protects access to sensitive data and administrative controls within the memos platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and control mechanisms around authentication attempts. In the affected versions of memos, there are no effective rate limiting measures or account lockout procedures that would prevent or detect excessive login attempts. The application fails to track failed authentication attempts effectively, nor does it implement mechanisms to temporarily block or delay subsequent login requests from suspicious sources. This absence of proper authentication controls creates a pathway for attackers to conduct systematic credential guessing or brute force attacks against user accounts. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to make unlimited authentication attempts without triggering protective measures that would normally be expected in secure authentication systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper access control and authentication management practices, which are critical components of secure software development.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4797 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential privilege escalation within the memos environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically compromise user accounts through automated tools that attempt multiple login combinations. Once an attacker gains access to a user account, they can potentially access sensitive information, modify content, or even escalate privileges to administrative levels depending on the application's permission model. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for denial of service attacks where repeated failed authentication attempts could consume system resources or cause legitimate users to be locked out of their accounts. Organizations using affected versions of memos face significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential data manipulation, and compromised user privacy. The impact is particularly severe for environments where memos is used to store confidential information or serve as a collaboration platform with sensitive business data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4797 must address the core authentication weaknesses identified in the vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to version 0.9.1 or later, which includes proper rate limiting and authentication attempt controls. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as configuring firewall rules to limit connection attempts from suspicious IP addresses, implementing multi-factor authentication for critical accounts, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual authentication patterns. Network-level protections should include configuring intrusion detection systems to alert on repeated failed authentication attempts and implementing automated response mechanisms that can temporarily block malicious IP addresses. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 which covers credential access through brute force and password spraying attacks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other applications and systems. Proper logging and monitoring of authentication events becomes critical to detect and respond to exploitation attempts, while also supporting forensic analysis if a breach occurs. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated authentication mechanisms function correctly without disrupting legitimate user access.