CVE-2022-48547 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cacti 0.8.7g and earlier allows unauthenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML in the "ref" parameter at auth_changepassword.php.

Understanding CVE-2022-48547

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2022-48547, focusing on its impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2022-48547?

CVE-2022-48547 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Cacti versions 0.8.7g and earlier. This vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML via the "ref" parameter in auth_changepassword.php.

The Impact of CVE-2022-48547

The presence of this XSS vulnerability in Cacti versions 0.8.7g and earlier poses a significant risk as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a victim's browser, leading to potential data theft, session hijacking, and other forms of attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-48547

In this section, we will explore the technical specifics of CVE-2022-48547, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Cacti 0.8.7g and earlier arises from improper input validation on the "ref" parameter in auth_changepassword.php, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Cacti up to 0.8.7g are affected by CVE-2022-48547, putting users of these versions at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a specially-crafted URL with malicious script payloads in the "ref" parameter, which, when executed, can compromise the security and integrity of the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-48547 and ensure the security of Cacti installations, immediate action and long-term security practices need to be implemented. Let's explore the steps to mitigate this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Cacti to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability, thereby preventing unauthorized script injections.
Additionally, users should sanitize and validate user inputs to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help in identifying and remediating security weaknesses before they are exploited.
Educating developers and administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of input validation can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

The Cacti community has released patches to fix the XSS vulnerability in the latest versions. Users are strongly encouraged to apply these patches promptly to safeguard their systems from potential attacks.