CVE-2022-38211 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.9.1, 10.8.1, and 10.7.1.

Understanding CVE-2022-38211

This CVE record pertains to a security issue in Esri Portal for ArcGIS that could potentially allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to exploit SSRF vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2022-38211?

The SSRF vulnerability in this specific version of Portal for ArcGIS may enable an attacker to manipulate requests to arbitrary URLs from the system, potentially facilitating network enumeration or unauthorized access to hosts within the network perimeter.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38211

The exploitation of this vulnerability could have a significant impact on the confidentiality of sensitive information within the affected systems, posing a high risk to data security.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38211

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

Protections against SSRF vulnerabilities in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.9.1 and below were not fully enforced, potentially allowing unauthorized URL requests and network reconnaissance.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects ArcGIS Enterprise with Portal for ArcGIS versions less than or equal to 10.9.1 running on x64 platforms.

Exploitation Mechanism

An unauthenticated remote attacker could exploit this SSRF vulnerability to forge requests to arbitrary URLs, leading to unauthorized network access and potential data exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-38211, immediate measures and long-term security practices need to be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Esri to address the vulnerability and enhance system protection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit unauthorized access attempts.
Regularly monitor and audit network traffic for suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories from Esri to promptly apply relevant patches and updates to safeguard your systems against potential security threats.