CVE-2022-38194 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.8.1, a system property is not properly encrypted, potentially allowing a local user to access sensitive information. The CVE-2022-38194 was published on June 28, 2022.

Understanding CVE-2022-38194

This section will provide a detailed overview of the vulnerability affecting Esri's Portal for ArcGIS version 10.8.1.

What is CVE-2022-38194?

CVE-2022-38194 highlights a vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS where a system property is inadequately encrypted. This security flaw could enable a local user to read confidential information from a properties file.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38194

The impact of this CVE is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 6.7. It poses a high confidentiality impact and a low integrity impact. The privilege level required for exploitation is rated as HIGH.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38194

This section will delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability found in Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.8.1.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper encryption of a system property, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in properties files.

Affected Systems and Versions

The specific version impacted by this vulnerability is 10.8.1 of Esri Portal for ArcGIS running on the x64 platform.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack complexity is considered LOW, with a local attack vector and changed scope. No user interaction is required, and the availability impact is rated as NONE.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-38194 and enhance the security of Esri Portal for ArcGIS, follow the mitigation strategies outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Esri recommends applying the necessary security updates promptly to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities within the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ strong encryption mechanisms for sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address security gaps proactively.

Patching and Updates

Esri has released an update to address the encryption issue in version 10.8.1. It is crucial to apply this patch to secure the system against potential exploits.