CVE-2022-4869 in Artaxerxes
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2023
A vulnerability was found in Evolution Events Artaxerxes. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file arta/common/middleware.py of the component POST Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument password leads to information disclosure. The attack can be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 022111407d34815c16c6eada2de69ca34084dc0d. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-217438 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4869 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Evolution Events Artaxerxes platform, specifically targeting the POST parameter handler component. This security weakness resides in the arta/common/middleware.py file where improper handling of the password argument creates a pathway for unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable means that attackers can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the system, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and threat vector. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the middleware layer, which processes user-submitted data before it reaches the application's core functions. This particular flaw demonstrates a failure in implementing proper security controls during the application's development lifecycle, leaving sensitive information potentially accessible to malicious actors who can craft specific POST requests to trigger the vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the password parameter within the POST request handling mechanism. When the application processes user input through the middleware.py file, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the password argument, allowing attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from the system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The attack vector operates through remote network access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity. The specific patch referenced in the vulnerability report, identified by the hash 022111407d34815c16c6eada2de69ca34084dc0d, addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization procedures within the middleware layer. Without proper patching, the system remains vulnerable to information disclosure attacks that could potentially expose user credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive data elements.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4869 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks. Organizations utilizing the Evolution Events Artaxerxes platform face potential risks including unauthorized access to user accounts, exposure of authentication credentials, and possible escalation of privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability's presence in the middleware component means that it could affect multiple application functions that rely on the password parameter handling, potentially creating cascading security issues throughout the platform. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and network attacks, and T1071, which involves application layer protocol usage. The information disclosure could provide attackers with enough data to conduct further reconnaissance, develop targeted attacks against specific users, or even facilitate lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors can initiate attacks at scale without requiring physical presence or insider access to the target environment.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patch deployment to address CVE-2022-4869, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to system integrity and data confidentiality. The recommended remediation involves applying the specific patch identified by the hash 022111407d34815c16c6eada2de69ca34084dc0d, which should be verified against the application's current version to ensure compatibility and effectiveness. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring measures to detect potential exploitation attempts, including log analysis for unusual POST request patterns and parameter manipulation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and sanitization in web application security, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code review processes. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues within their application codebase, particularly in middleware components that handle user input. The incident also highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security governance practices that ensure timely remediation of identified vulnerabilities. Proper security awareness training for development teams can help prevent similar issues in future releases by emphasizing secure coding practices and input validation techniques.