CVE-2022-23554 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-23554, an authentication bypass vulnerability in Alpine prior to version 1.10.4.

Understanding CVE-2022-23554

Alpine is a scaffolding library in Java that was found to have an authentication bypass vulnerability.

What is CVE-2022-23554?

Alpine prior to version 1.10.4 allows an Authentication Filter bypass. The issue occurs in the AuthenticationFilter which evaluates the user's access to the swagger endpoint based on the request URI. By manipulating the URL path, an attacker can bypass the filter and access unauthorized endpoints.

The Impact of CVE-2022-23554

The vulnerability can allow an unauthenticated attacker to access restricted endpoints without proper authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation. However, user impersonation is not possible due to the principal object not being assigned.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-23554

The vulnerability is classified with a base score of 6.5 (Medium severity) under CVSS v3.1 metrics. It has a low attack complexity, requires no privileges, and has low confidentiality and integrity impacts. The exploit can be performed over a network without user interaction.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the AuthenticationFilter's logic, allowing an attacker to manipulate the request URI and bypass the authentication process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: stevespringett
Product: alpine
Affected Versions: < 1.10.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the URL path, accessing unauthorized API endpoints, and bypassing the Authentication Filter.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-23554, immediate action should be taken to update Alpine to version 1.10.4 or later. Additionally, follow long-term security best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Alpine to version 1.10.4 to mitigate the authentication bypass vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and apply patches promptly.
Implement proper input validation and access controls in your applications.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the official GitHub repository for Alpine to download the latest patched version and update your installation.