CVE-2022-29171 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Sourcegraph versions prior to 3.38.0 are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution due to a flaw in the gitserver service. An attacker with certain privileges can exploit this to gain unauthorized access to Sourcegraph infrastructure.

Understanding CVE-2022-29171

This vulnerability allows site admins to run arbitrary commands remotely, leading to potential RCE and unauthorized access to Sourcegraph's infrastructure.

What is CVE-2022-29171?

Sourcegraph versions below 3.38.0 are susceptible to Remote Code Execution through the Gitolite code host integration with Phabricator, enabling site admins to specify and execute unauthorized commands.

The Impact of CVE-2022-29171

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.6 (Medium severity) with high impacts on availability, confidentiality, and integrity. Attack complexity is high, requiring network access and certain privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-29171

The vulnerability arises from improper command handling in the Gitolite code host integration with Phabricator, allowing remote execution of unauthorized commands.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw permits site admins to tamper with the

callsignCommand

, potentially granting them administrative access to Sourcegraph's bundled Grafana instance and underlying infrastructure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Sourcegraph versions prior to 3.38.0 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Administrators with specific privileges can change the

callsignCommand

in the Gitolite code host to execute remote commands, providing unauthorized access to the Sourcegraph installation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2022-29171 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices to ensure system integrity and prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Sourcegraph to version 3.38.0 to patch the vulnerability. Disabling Gitolite code hosts can provide a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits, access control reviews, and monitoring system behavior can enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for Sourcegraph to mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.