CVE-2022-33915 : What You Need to Know

A race condition affecting versions of the Amazon AWS Apache Log4j hotpatch package before log4j-cve-2021-44228-hotpatch-1.3.5 could lead to a local privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2022-33915

This CVE describes a race condition in the Amazon AWS Apache Log4j hotpatch package that may allow a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

What is CVE-2022-33915?

Versions of the Amazon AWS Apache Log4j hotpatch package before log4j-cve-2021-44228-hotpatch-1.3.5 are affected by a race condition that could lead to a local privilege escalation. The hotpatch package provides a temporary mitigation to CVE-2021-44228 by hotpatching the local Java virtual machines.

The Impact of CVE-2022-33915

The impact of CVE-2022-33915 is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.0. The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Attack complexity is considered high, while privileges required for exploitation are low. The attack vector is local, and user interaction is not required.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-33915

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a race condition in the hotpatch package before version log4j-cve-2021-44228-hotpatch-1.3.5. A local user could exploit this to execute a binary with elevated privileges by running a custom java process.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the Amazon AWS Apache Log4j hotpatch package before log4j-cve-2021-44228-hotpatch-1.3.5 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, a local user needs to run a custom java process that performs exec() of an SUID binary after the hotpatch script executes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2022-33915 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to the fixed version log4j-cve-2021-44228-hotpatch-1.3.5 or apply relevant patches provided by the vendor. Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software packages, implement the principle of least privilege, and conduct security training for staff to prevent and detect such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches and advisories. Follow vendor recommendations for secure deployments and configurations.