CVE-2022-46332 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Proofpoint Enterprise Protection (PPS/PoD) XSS in 'Attachment Names'

Understanding CVE-2022-46332

Proofpoint Enterprise Protection (PPS/PoD) is affected by a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Admin Smart Search feature, allowing an anonymous email sender to gain admin privileges within the user interface.

What is CVE-2022-46332?

The Admin Smart Search feature in Proofpoint Enterprise Protection (PPS/PoD) contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables an anonymous email sender to gain admin privileges within the user interface. This vulnerability affects all versions 8.19.0 and below.

The Impact of CVE-2022-46332

The vulnerability poses a critical risk with a CVSSv3 base score of 9.6, indicating high impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity. An attacker can exploit this flaw to execute malicious scripts within the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-46332

The following technical details outline the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as 'Cross-site Scripting' (CWE-79). It allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability affects Proofpoint Enterprise Protection (PPS/PoD) versions 8.19.0 and below.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Admin Smart Search feature, an anonymous email sender can access admin privileges in the user interface.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your systems and data from CVE-2022-46332, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Proofpoint Enterprise Protection (PPS/PoD) to version 8.19.1 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the Admin Smart Search feature to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on your systems.
Educate users on safe email practices to prevent malicious attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Proofpoint. Apply patches and updates promptly to protect your systems from known vulnerabilities.