Appsecure logo

CVE-2022-40259: High Vulnerability in AMI MegaRAC

A high-severity vulnerability in AMI MegaRAC allows potential unauthorized access due to default credentials. Organizations must address this risk urgently to protect their infrastructure.

HIGHCVSS 8.3 · Published December 5, 2022

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40259 pertains to default credentials in AMI's MegaRAC product. This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to the system due to weak credential management practices. With a CVSS score of 8.3, it falls into the high severity category, indicating significant risk to affected systems. The potential for exploitation is particularly concerning, as attackers could gain unauthorized access and control over the devices running this software.

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control of systems, which can lead to data breaches, service interruptions, and integrity issues. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations utilizing this technology must prioritize remediation efforts. Currently, there is no publicly confirmed exploit available, but the presence of default credentials poses a significant threat.

Organizations should address this vulnerability in their patch cycle immediately given its high CVSS score and potential impact. As the status of this CVE is marked as modified, it is essential for defenders to stay updated with the latest guidance and patching information.

The urgency for defenders is high; organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2022-40259 has been described as a MegaRAC Default Credentials Vulnerability. It has a CVSS score of 8.3 as per the source from cert.org, with a secondary source from NVD giving it a higher critical score of 9.8. The vulnerability primarily affects versions 12 and 13 of the MegaRAC SP-X software from AMI, exposing systems to significant risk if left unpatched.

The attack vector is classified as network-based with high complexity, which means that while remote exploitation is possible, it requires specific conditions to be met. The vulnerability falls under CWE-798 and CWE-287, indicating issues related to default credentials and improper authentication.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2022-40259 stems from the use of default credentials that are not adequately secured or changed upon deployment. Attackers may leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the devices running MegaRAC SP-X. The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability remotely.

Attack complexity is high due to the requirement for user interaction, meaning that some level of authentication or manual steps may be needed to exploit this vulnerability effectively. This may include tricking a user into providing the default credentials. However, once an attacker has access, the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is severe, with all three being classified as high.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The deployment risk for organizations utilizing MegaRAC SP-X is substantial. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate settings, access sensitive data, and disrupt services. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, the potential blast radius is extensive, affecting multiple users and systems.

The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is high, especially considering its critical classification by NVD, with a CVSS score of 9.8. Organizations should prioritize remediation efforts to mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized access.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of the MegaRAC SP-X product include version 12 and version 13. Organizations running these versions are at risk and should take immediate steps to patch their systems.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-40259, organizations should implement the following remediation measures: apply patches or updates to the affected MegaRAC SP-X versions immediately. If patches are not available, organizations should change default credentials to strong, unique passwords and restrict access to the management interfaces.

For comprehensive security, consider utilizing penetration testing services to evaluate the security posture of your systems.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts and be alert for behavioral anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Network signatures related to known exploitation patterns should also be implemented to enhance detection capabilities.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2022-40259 highlights the importance of robust credential management practices within organizations. This vulnerability represents a broader trend in cybersecurity where default credentials lead to significant risks and exploitation scenarios. Security teams must prioritize the development of comprehensive policies surrounding credential management and regularly assess their systems for similar weaknesses.

For more insights, refer to our resources on default credential vulnerabilities and the importance of a penetration testing methodology to enhance your security posture.

Additionally, organizations should consider our services for application security assessments to identify areas of improvement.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.