CVE-2022-41746 is a critical forced browsing vulnerability affecting Trend Micro Apex One. This vulnerability allows attackers with access to the Apex One console to escalate privileges and modify certain agent groupings. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 9.1, which categorizes it as critical. Organizations using affected installations must take immediate action to mitigate potential risks.
The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and modification of critical settings within the Apex One environment, which could lead to further exploitation. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability if they can log onto the Apex One web console. Hence, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Given the high impact potential of this vulnerability, timely remediation is essential. The vulnerability was published on October 10, 2022, and has been modified since its initial disclosure. Organizations are urged to assess their exposure and apply the necessary patches.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-425 classification, indicating its nature as a forced browsing issue. Security teams should consider implementing additional controls to restrict access to the Apex One console and monitor for any unauthorized access attempts.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2022-41746 states: "A forced browsing vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One could allow an attacker with access to the Apex One console on affected installations to escalate privileges and modify certain agent groupings." An attacker must first obtain the ability to log onto the Apex One web console in order to exploit this vulnerability.
This vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue. The CVSS score of 9.1 indicates a critical severity, highlighting the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Affected products include various versions of Trend Micro Apex One, specifically the SaaS version and the 2019 version.
The vulnerability was published on October 10, 2022, and has been categorized under CWE-425. Organizations should ensure they are aware of the specific configurations that are vulnerable, particularly installations of Apex One on affected platforms.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2022-41746 lies in the improper handling of access controls within the Apex One console. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, allowing an attacker with access to the console to exploit the flaw without needing user interaction.
The attack complexity is rated as low, as the prerequisites for exploitation require only that the attacker has high privileges. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all significant, as unauthorized modifications to agent groupings can disrupt operations and create security gaps.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2022-41746 is substantial, particularly for organizations relying on Trend Micro Apex One for endpoint protection. The vulnerability's critical severity indicates a high potential for exploitation, which could lead to unauthorized access and modifications that compromise the entire security posture of affected organizations.
Organizations should assess the blast radius of this vulnerability, particularly in environments where Apex One is integrated with other security solutions. The urgency for remediation is critical, given that the vulnerability has been public knowledge since October 2022.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all installations of Trend Micro Apex One, specifically the SaaS version and the 2019 version. If specific version information is unavailable, organizations should assume that all versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-41746, organizations should immediately apply the patches provided by Trend Micro. For more detailed guidance on patching, organizations can refer to the vendor advisory available at Trend Micro's advisory. Additionally, organizations should review their access controls and ensure that only authorized personnel can log onto the Apex One console.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts to the Apex One console. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected changes to agent groupings or privilege levels, should also be investigated. Network signatures associated with unauthorized access should be established to alert administrators.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2022-41746 represents a critical vulnerability that underscores the importance of robust access controls in security products. As organizations increasingly rely on solutions like Trend Micro Apex One, understanding the implications of such vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.
Security teams should learn from this incident to improve their threat modeling and incident response strategies. For more insights, organizations can explore our guide on vulnerability management programs and consider engaging in penetration testing to assess and validate their security posture against such vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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