CVE-2022-35781 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Azure Site Recovery Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published by Microsoft on August 9, 2022.

Understanding CVE-2022-35781

This section will cover details about the vulnerability, impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2022-35781?

The CVE-2022-35781 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Microsoft's Azure Site Recovery service, particularly the VMware to Azure version 9.0 up to version 9.50. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2022-35781

With a CVSS base score of 6.5 (Medium Severity), this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially execute unauthorized actions with higher privileges on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-35781

Let's delve into the specifics of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to inadequate security restrictions within the Azure Site Recovery service, enabling unauthorized escalation of privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability affects Azure Site Recovery instances running version 9.0 to version 9.50, specifically the VMware to Azure migration scenario.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the insecure permissions and inadequate access controls present in the affected versions of Azure Site Recovery.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2022-35781 is crucial. Follow the recommendations below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Azure Site Recovery to the latest version available that includes a patch for this vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.
Regularly review and update access control policies to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Microsoft for Azure Site Recovery. Promptly apply patches to ensure your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.