CVE-2022-20772 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2022-20772, a vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance allowing HTTP response splitting. Understand impacts, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct an HTTP response splitting attack.
Understanding CVE-2022-20772
This CVE impacts Cisco products, allowing attackers to exploit a vulnerability in handling HTTP headers, potentially leading to malicious activities.
What is CVE-2022-20772?
CVE-2022-20772 is a security vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager. It arises from insufficient input validation, enabling attackers to manipulate HTTP headers and responses.
The Impact of CVE-2022-20772
The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute HTTP response splitting attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation within impacted systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-20772
The following technical details regarding the CVE are crucial for understanding its implications.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stems from a failure to properly sanitize input values, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTTP headers and control response bodies, leading to HTTP response splitting.
Affected Systems and Versions
Cisco Email Security Appliance versions 11.1.1-000, 11.1.2-000, 13.5.1-277, 14.0.0-698, and 14.2.0-620 are affected. Additionally, Cisco Content Security Management Appliance (SMA) is also impacted.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious HTTP headers to manipulate responses or split responses, potentially leading to further attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-20772, immediate steps and long-term security practices are essential.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations using the affected Cisco products should apply security updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for any signs of exploitation is crucial.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about security advisories can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security patches and updates released by Cisco is critical to safeguarding systems against known vulnerabilities.