CVE-2022-24721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CometD is a scalable comet implementation for web messaging that is affected by an incorrect authorization vulnerability in org.cometd.oort. This vulnerability could allow remote users to subscribe and publish to unauthorized channels, potentially leading to data exposure and unauthorized modifications.

Understanding CVE-2022-24721

CVE-2022-24721 is a high-severity vulnerability impacting CometD versions prior to 5.0.11, 6.0.6, and 7.0.6. The vulnerability involves improper authorization on internal Oort and Seti channels, enabling unauthorized access and manipulation.

What is CVE-2022-24721?

In versions of CometD before 5.0.11, 6.0.6, and 7.0.6, remote users can exploit an authorization flaw to subscribe to and publish on Oort and Seti channels. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, data manipulation, and structural changes in the cluster.

The Impact of CVE-2022-24721

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 8.1. It affects confidentiality, integrity, and privileges by allowing remote users to eavesdrop on data and modify system configurations.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-24721

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper authorization of internal channels, allowing unauthorized access and manipulation by remote users.

Affected Systems and Versions

CometD versions prior to 5.0.11, 6.0.6, and 7.0.6 are impacted by this vulnerability related to Oort and Seti channels.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability by subscribing to and publishing on unauthorized channels within the CometD implementation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2022-24721, users are advised to update their CometD installations to version 5.0.11, 6.0.6, or 7.0.6. Additionally, implementing a custom

SecurityPolicy

to restrict unauthorized activities on Oort and Seti channels is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should conduct regular security assessments, stay informed about security advisories, and follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Developers should regularly monitor for software updates and security advisories from CometD to apply patches promptly and ensure the integrity and security of their systems.