CVE-2022-38188 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed analysis of CVE-2022-38188, a reflected XSS vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.9.1, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2022-38188

CVE-2022-38188 is a reflected XSS vulnerability discovered in Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.9.1, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser.

What is CVE-2022-38188?

CVE-2022-38188 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.9.1. Attackers can exploit this issue by convincing a user to click on a malicious link, leading to the execution of unauthorized JavaScript code in the victim's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38188

The vulnerability has a CVSSv3 base score of 7.1, indicating a high severity level. While the attack complexity is low, successful exploitation could result in the execution of arbitrary code in the context of the user's browser session.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38188

This section covers the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The reflected XSS vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.9.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code by convincing a user to click on a specially crafted link.

Affected Systems and Versions

Esri Portal for ArcGIS version 10.9.1 running on x64 platforms is affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2022-38188 by tricking a user into clicking on a malicious link, leading to the execution of unauthorized JavaScript code in the victim's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to exercise caution while clicking on links, especially those shared by untrusted sources. Organizations should consider implementing security measures to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to educate users about the dangers of clicking on unknown links and keeping software up to date to prevent such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Esri has released a security update patch for Portal for ArcGIS to address CVE-2022-38188. Users are advised to apply the patch promptly to secure their systems.