CVE-2022-38196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.9.1 and prior have a path traversal vulnerability that may lead to a denial of service. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2022-38196

Esri ArcGIS Server is affected by a path traversal vulnerability that allows a remote, authenticated attacker to overwrite internal directories, potentially causing a denial of service.

What is CVE-2022-38196?

CVE-2022-38196 is a security vulnerability in Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.9.1 and earlier that enables attackers to exploit a path traversal flaw. This could result in a denial of service by manipulating directories within the server.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38196

The impact of CVE-2022-38196 is significant as it allows an authenticated remote attacker to overwrite critical internal server directories, leading to a denial of service. Due to this vulnerability, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system are at risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38196

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 6.5, which represents a medium severity.

Vulnerability Description

Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.9.1 and prior are prone to a path traversal vulnerability that could allow an attacker to overwrite internal directories, resulting in a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Esri
Product: ArcGIS Server
Versions: All versions less than or equal to 10.9.1
Platforms: x64

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote, authenticated attacker with high privileges. By leveraging the path traversal flaw, the attacker can overwrite internal ArcGIS Server directories, impacting the server's availability and integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the CVE-2022-38196 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address this vulnerability, users are advised to install the ArcGIS Server Security 2022 Update 1 Patch provided by Esri. This patch contains the necessary fixes to mitigate the path traversal issue.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to applying the patch, organizations should follow security best practices such as regularly updating software, implementing access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized activities.

Patching and Updates

Esri has released the ArcGIS Server Security 2022 Update 1 Patch to address CVE-2022-38196. Users are recommended to download and install this patch from the official Esri support website to secure their ArcGIS Server installations.