CVE-2022-22054 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the ASUS RT-AX56U firmware. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated local area network attacker to exploit a path traversal issue in the device's login function. The flaw arises from inadequate filtering of special characters in URL parameters, enabling attackers to access restricted system paths and download arbitrary files within the device.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a medium level of severity. The attack vector is classified as adjacent network, meaning that an attacker must be on the same local network as the target device to exploit it. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges or user interaction are required to execute the attack. Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability due to the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive files.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations using the ASUS RT-AX56U should prioritize patching the affected firmware version. Failure to address this could lead to significant risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on the device.
As of now, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available, which suggests that while the vulnerability exists, it has not been widely leveraged by attackers. However, organizations should remain vigilant and apply the necessary updates as soon as they become available.
Vulnerability Details
The ASUS RT-AX56U’s login function contains a path traversal vulnerability due to its inadequate filtering for special characters in URL parameters, which allows an unauthenticated local area network attacker to access restricted system paths and download arbitrary files.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, categorized as medium severity. The attack vector is adjacent network, with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability impacts are none.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the inadequate filtering of special characters in URL parameters, which can be manipulated to traverse directories outside the intended path. Attackers may leverage this flaw to access sensitive files stored within the system.
The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to be within the same local network as the vulnerable device. The complexity of the attack is low, as no privileges are necessary, and no user interaction is required. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information, while integrity and availability remain unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing the ASUS RT-AX56U device should be aware of the potential risks associated with this vulnerability. The ability for an attacker to access restricted system paths poses a significant risk, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive files. Given the high confidentiality impact, organizations must evaluate their exposure and the sensitivity of the data that could be compromised.
Additionally, while there are no current known exploits in the wild, the low complexity of this attack vector suggests that it could be leveraged by attackers with minimal effort. Organizations should assess their risk posture and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects ASUS RT-AX56U firmware version 3.0.0.4.386.44266. Organizations should ensure they are using the latest firmware to mitigate this vulnerability. If the version information is missing or unknown, it is recommended to assume that all versions prior to the vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching the ASUS RT-AX56U firmware to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. If an immediate patch is unavailable, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the vulnerable device from untrusted networks.
In addition, organizations can benefit from conducting a security assessment through application security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their environment.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual access attempts to restricted files, specifically requests that include suspicious URL patterns indicative of path traversal attacks. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in user access patterns should also be tracked.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-22054 highlights the ongoing challenges organizations face with path traversal vulnerabilities, especially in devices that require accessible interfaces for local management. This vulnerability represents a trend where inadequate input validation allows local attackers to exploit system weaknesses.
For organizations, the key takeaway is the importance of regular firmware updates and rigorous security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Security teams should also stay informed about emerging threats and trends in the landscape of network devices.
To enhance security posture, organizations may consider investing in penetration testing services that can reveal vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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