A recent security advisory has been published today about a vulnerability (CVE-2022-38195) discovered in Esri ArcGIS Server, affecting versions 10.9.1 and below. This vulnerability poses a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) risk that could potentially allow a remote unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser. This exclusive post will provide an in-depth analysis of the exploit, the code snippet, links to original references, and suggested mitigation strategies.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2022-38195 is a reflection of a cross-site scripting vulnerability discovered in Esri ArcGIS Server. A remote attacker could create a malicious link, which, when clicked by a user, runs arbitrary JavaScript code on the targeted user's browser within the context of the vulnerable application.
This exploit could potentially lead to critical security risks, such as session hijacking, sensitive data exfiltration, or even malicious redirection to phishing websites aimed at stealing user credentials.
Code Snippet
The vulnerability is a reflection of a cross-site scripting issue present in the Esri ArcGIS server application, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code, which gets executed when the victim clicks the crafted link, as shown in the example below:
<a href="http://VULNERABLE_ARCGIS_SERVER.com/?parameter=%3Cscript%3Ealert%28%27XSS%27%29%3C%2Fscript%3E">Click me</a>
In this example, the VULNERABLE_ARCGIS_SERVER denotes the vulnerable server and the parameter is the vulnerable parameter affected by the XSS vulnerability. Suppose the victim clicks the "Click me" link. In that case, an alert box containing the string "XSS" will be displayed, demonstrating the successful execution of arbitrary JavaScript code present in the URL.
Original References
1. CVE-2022-38195 NVD Entry
2. Esri Security Advisory
Exploit Details
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to craft a malicious link containing the JavaScript code they want to execute on the victim's browser, as shown in the provided code snippet. From there, the attacker could employ social engineering techniques, such as phishing emails, instant messaging, or forum posts, to entice users into clicking the malicious link.
Upon clicking the link, the victim's browser would execute the JavaScript code within the context of the vulnerable application. This vulnerability allows the attacker to perform various malicious actions, such as stealing session cookies, bypassing CSRF protection, and even defacing the application's content.
Mitigation
Organizations running Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.9.1 and below are advised to update their software to the latest version. Esri has released a security patch addressing this vulnerability, and users are strongly recommended to apply it immediately.
Additionally, to mitigate the risks associated with reflected XSS vulnerabilities, it's crucial to implement sufficient security measures, such as:
1. Input validation: Ensure user inputs are properly validated and sanitized before they are processed, preventing malicious scripts from being executed.
2. Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a strict CSP to restrict the sources of scripts that can be executed in the browser context, effectively reducing the impact of XSS vulnerabilities.
3. User-awareness training: Educate users about the dangers of clicking on suspicious links and the importance of system/application updates to protect sensitive information and reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-38195 is a critical reflected XSS vulnerability present in Esri ArcGIS Server 10.9.1 and below, which has potential severe consequences if exploited. By staying informed about the vulnerability, understanding the exploit details, and implementing the mitigation strategies suggested above, organizations can significantly reduce the risk associated with this security flaw and safeguard their systems and users from potential attacks.
Timeline
Published on: 10/25/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/27/2022 13:32:00 UTC