CVE-2022-30065 is a high-severity vulnerability discovered in the Busybox utility, specifically within its awk applet. This vulnerability allows for a use-after-free condition that could lead to denial of service (DoS) or potentially arbitrary code execution when processing a specially crafted awk pattern in the copyvar function. Given the broad usage of Busybox in various environments, including embedded systems, the impact is significant.
The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 7.8, which is categorized as high severity. This classification indicates that it poses a serious risk to organizations, particularly those utilizing versions of Busybox and Siemens firmware that are affected. The potential for exploitation is exacerbated by the nature of the vulnerability, which could lead to unauthorized access or service disruption.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The exploitability score of 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of successful exploitation, especially in environments where user interaction is involved, making it crucial for defenders to act swiftly.
The incident highlights the need for robust vulnerability management practices, especially concerning software components like Busybox that are commonly integrated into various systems. Security teams must remain vigilant in monitoring and updating their systems to mitigate this risk.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2022-30065 states: "A use-after-free in Busybox 1.35-x's awk applet leads to denial of service and possibly code execution when processing a crafted awk pattern in the copyvar function." This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-416, which pertains to use-after-free vulnerabilities.
The CVSS version 3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that it can be exploited locally, requires low attack complexity, and does not require any privileges but demands user interaction. The impacts are significant, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected products include Busybox version 1.35.0 and multiple Siemens firmware versions for devices such as Scalance SC622-2C, SC626-2C, SC632-2C, SC636-2C, SC642-2C, and SC646-2C, all prior to the latest vendor patches.
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is attributed to a memory management flaw where the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed. The attack vector is local, indicating that it requires an attacker to have access to the system where Busybox is running. The complexity of the attack is low, meaning that it can be executed without sophisticated techniques.
No privileges are required for exploitation, which implies that any user with access to the system could potentially trigger this vulnerability. User interaction is necessary, as the attacker must craft a specific input that the vulnerable awk applet processes.
The potential impacts of this vulnerability are critical. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all affected at high levels, meaning that attackers may gain access to sensitive information, alter data, or disrupt service availability altogether.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing Busybox, particularly in embedded systems, face significant risks due to the widespread deployment of this utility. The potential for attackers to leverage this vulnerability to achieve unauthorized access or service disruption creates a critical need for immediate action. The blast radius is extensive, given that affected systems may include networked devices in various sectors, including industrial control systems.
Organizations should schedule remediation based on their risk assessment and operational capabilities. The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score and the nature of its exploitation, which may lead to severe operational impacts.
Given the vulnerability's classification and the potential for active exploitation, it is advisable for organizations to incorporate this into their vulnerability management programs. Continuous monitoring and regular updates should be prioritized to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Busybox include 1.35.0 and potentially earlier versions. Additionally, several versions of Siemens firmware for the Scalance SC622-2C, SC626-2C, SC632-2C, SC636-2C, SC642-2C, and SC646-2C are vulnerable, specifically those prior to version 3.0.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-30065, organizations should implement the following measures:
1. **Patch the affected systems**: Upgrade Busybox to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability and ensure all Siemens firmware is updated accordingly.
2. **Configuration hardening**: Review and harden configurations to minimize exposure to untrusted inputs that could exploit this vulnerability.
3. **Network controls**: Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the ability of untrusted users to interact with systems running Busybox.
4. **Monitoring recommendations**: Establish logging and monitoring capabilities to detect any anomalous behavior related to this vulnerability.
Organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for the following indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability:
1. Unusual application crashes or service interruptions involving Busybox.
2. Anomalies in system logs that may indicate attempts to process malicious awk patterns.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2022-30065 serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges associated with memory management in software development. As systems continue to integrate complex utilities like Busybox, the potential for vulnerabilities like this to emerge increases. Security teams must prioritize their vulnerability management programs to identify and mitigate such risks proactively.
This incident illustrates the importance of maintaining an up-to-date inventory of software components and their associated vulnerabilities. Organizations should regularly conduct assessments to identify outdated or vulnerable components.
For further insights on vulnerability management, organizations can explore our resources on vulnerability management programs, best practices for penetration testing methodologies, and web application security testing to strengthen their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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