CVE-2022-46364 is a critical SSRF vulnerability found in Apache CXF, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.5.5 and 3.4.10. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform SSRF-style attacks on web services that accept at least one parameter of any type. The potential impact of this vulnerability is severe, with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. Organizations using affected versions of Apache CXF are at risk of unauthorized access to internal resources, which could lead to data breaches and system compromise. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on December 13, 2022, and has since been classified under CWE-918, indicating an issue with Server-Side Request Forgery. The urgency for remediation is high, as the exploitation status is confirmed with known exploits available.
Risk to organizations includes potential data leakage and unauthorized access to sensitive resources. As such, immediate action is required to mitigate these risks effectively.
In summary, CVE-2022-46364 poses a significant threat to users of Apache CXF. It is imperative that organizations implement the necessary patches and monitor their systems for any suspicious activity to safeguard against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2022-46364 states that it is a Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerability in parsing the href attribute of XOP:Include in MTOM requests in versions of Apache CXF before 3.5.5 and 3.4.10. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform SSRF-style attacks on web services that take at least one parameter of any type.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, marking it as critical. The attack vector is network-based, and it has a low complexity of exploitation. Attackers do not require privileges or user interaction, which further exacerbates the risk presented by this vulnerability.
Affected products include Apache CXF, specifically those running versions prior to 3.5.5 and 3.4.10. The vulnerability was disclosed on December 13, 2022, and can be classified under CWE-918.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2022-46364 lies in the improper validation of the href attribute within XOP:Include during MTOM requests. This flaw allows attackers to craft requests that can access internal services or resources that would otherwise be protected.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit it remotely without physical access to the target system.
The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, there is no user interaction needed, making it easier for an attacker to launch an attack.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all high, as the vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of data, or interruption of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying Apache CXF are at significant risk due to this vulnerability. The potential for data leakage and unauthorized access to internal services is high, which could lead to severe consequences including data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, particularly for organizations that utilize web services extensively. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to perform SSRF attacks, which can lead to further exploitation of internal systems.
Given the CVSS score of 9.8, organizations must act urgently to address this vulnerability. Immediate patching is required to mitigate risks associated with potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Apache CXF are all versions prior to 3.5.5 and 3.4.10. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest version to mitigate the identified vulnerabilities.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize remediation efforts by upgrading to Apache CXF version 3.5.5 or later. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing can help uncover vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
In cases where immediate upgrades are not feasible, organizations can implement workarounds such as restricting access to web services that utilize XOP:Include until the vulnerability is patched.
Continuous monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts should also be instituted, along with configuration hardening measures to reduce the attack surface.
Continuous security testing can help validate these measures.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual request patterns, particularly those leveraging the XOP:Include feature within MTOM requests.
Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected internal requests or shifts in traffic patterns should also be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-46364 highlights the need for robust server-side security practices. This vulnerability exemplifies how seemingly minor misconfigurations can lead to severe security issues.
Security teams should take this incident as a lesson in the importance of thorough vulnerability assessments and the necessity of keeping software up to date.
For further reading on vulnerability management strategies, organizations can refer to the following resources:
Vulnerability management program design and penetration testing methodology can provide valuable insights.
In conclusion, CVE-2022-46364 serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive security measures and the need for continuous improvement in security practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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