CVE-2022-25766 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-25766, a vulnerability in the ungit package before version 1.5.20 that allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) via argument injection. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2022-25766

CVE-2022-25766 is a security vulnerability found in the ungit package, affecting versions prior to 1.5.20. It enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely by injecting malicious arguments when calling the /api/fetch endpoint.

What is CVE-2022-25766?

The vulnerability in ungit versions before 1.5.20 allows threat actors to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) through argument injection. By manipulating user-controlled values such as 'remote' and 'ref,' attackers can pass malicious inputs to the 'git fetch' command, leading to unauthorized command execution.

The Impact of CVE-2022-25766

With a CVSS base score of 8.8, CVE-2022-25766 poses a high-severity risk. The attack vector is via network with low complexity, resulting in high impacts on availability, confidentiality, and integrity. The exploit requires low privileges and no user interaction while maintaining an unchanged scope.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-25766

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw stems from improper handling of user inputs in the /api/fetch endpoint of ungit versions preceding 1.5.20. By injecting specific options into the git fetch command, threat actors can execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2022-25766 vulnerability impacts ungit versions less than 1.5.20. Users with unpatched instances of this software are at risk of exploitation through Remote Code Execution attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit CVE-2022-25766 by manipulating the 'remote' and 'ref' values in the git fetch command to inject malicious arguments. This can lead to the execution of unauthorized commands on the host system, potentially compromising its security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the CVE-2022-25766 vulnerability, users should update their ungit installations to version 1.5.20 or above. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity and restrict access to vulnerable endpoints.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security assessments, code reviews, and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively. Implementing robust access controls and security monitoring mechanisms can also help prevent similar exploits in the future.

Patching and Updates

The ungit project has released version 1.5.20, which includes security patches addressing CVE-2022-25766. Users are advised to promptly update their installations to the latest version to protect their systems from Remote Code Execution risks.