CVE-2022-20921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2022-20921, a privilege escalation vulnerability in Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator software, allowing attackers to elevate privileges. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in the API implementation of Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device. This CVE was published on August 24, 2022.
Understanding CVE-2022-20921
This section provides an overview of the vulnerability identified in the Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator Software.
What is CVE-2022-20921?
CVE-2022-20921 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in the API implementation of Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO). It allows an authenticated attacker to elevate their privileges on an affected device through improper authorization on specific APIs.
The Impact of CVE-2022-20921
The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 8.8. An attacker could exploit this flaw by sending crafted HTTP requests, potentially allowing them to escalate from non-Administrator privileges to Administrator privileges on the device.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-20921
In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stems from improper authorization on specific APIs within the Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO), enabling an attacker to escalate their privileges on the device.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected product is the Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator Software, with all versions being susceptible to this privilege escalation vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending carefully crafted HTTP requests, potentially leading to the elevation of their privileges on the affected device.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section covers the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2022-20921.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Cisco recommends users to apply the necessary security updates provided by the vendor to address this vulnerability promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor for security advisories and patches from Cisco to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
- Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Users are advised to install the latest updates and patches released by Cisco to ensure the security of their systems.