CVE-2022-46176 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Cargo is a Rust package manager. The Rust Security Response WG was notified that Cargo did not perform SSH host key verification when cloning indexes and dependencies via SSH. An attacker could exploit this to perform man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. This vulnerability has been assigned CVE-2022-46176. All Rust versions containing Cargo before 1.66.1 are vulnerable. Note that even if you don't explicitly use SSH for alternate registry indexes or crate dependencies, you might be affected by this vulnerability if you have configured git to replace HTTPS connections to GitHub with SSH (through git's

url.<base>.insteadOf

setting), as that'd cause you to clone the crates.io index through SSH. Rust 1.66.1 will ensure Cargo checks the SSH host key and abort the connection if the server's public key is not already trusted. We recommend everyone to upgrade as soon as possible.

Understanding CVE-2022-46176

Cargo did not verify SSH host keys.

What is CVE-2022-46176?

This CVE relates to the improper verification of cryptographic signatures in Cargo, the Rust package manager. Due to an oversight, Cargo did not perform SSH host key verification when cloning indexes and dependencies via SSH, potentially exposing users to man-in-the-middle attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-46176

The vulnerability in Cargo could allow malicious actors to intercept and tamper with traffic between the user and the server, posing a significant risk of data manipulation and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-46176

Cargo version <= 0.67.0 is affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Cargo's lack of SSH host key verification opens up the possibility of man-in-the-middle attacks, jeopardizing the integrity of data transmission and compromising system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Rust versions containing Cargo before 1.66.1 are vulnerable to CVE-2022-46176.

Exploitation Mechanism

By not verifying SSH host keys, an attacker can intercept communications between Cargo and remote servers, allowing for unauthorized access and potential data alteration.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address the CVE-2022-46176 vulnerability and enhance overall security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Rust to version 1.66.1 or newer to ensure that Cargo performs SSH host key verification and guards against potential MITM attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Rust and Cargo to the latest versions to stay protected against known vulnerabilities and ensure secure package management.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the provided URLs for patches and updates related to CVE-2022-46176.