CVE-2022-37866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Apache Ivy allows path traversal in the presence of a malicious repository.

Understanding CVE-2022-37866

Apache Ivy, versions 2.0.0 to 2.5.0, is vulnerable to path traversal attacks due to improper handling of artifact coordinates when downloading from a repository.

What is CVE-2022-37866?

Apache Ivy, a popular dependency manager, is susceptible to storing artifacts outside of its intended local cache or repository when processing user-supplied coordinates that include "../" sequences.

The Impact of CVE-2022-37866

Exploiting this vulnerability allows an attacker to potentially overwrite critical artifacts within the local cache, leading to unauthorized access or denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-37866

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from Apache Ivy's lack of validation on user-supplied coordinates, enabling path traversal attacks during artifact downloads.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Product: Apache Ivy
Affected Versions: 2.0.0 to 2.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can utilize "../" sequences in artifact coordinates to manipulate the local cache, potentially accessing or overwriting sensitive files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Apache Ivy 2.0.0 to 2.5.0 should upgrade to version 2.5.1 to mitigate the path traversal vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Deploy input validation mechanisms to ensure user-supplied data does not lead to path traversal or other exploitation vectors.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Apache Software Foundation and promptly apply patches to secure your systems.