Authentication bypass in Cisco Email Security Appliance and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager

1) Improper Authentication

EUVDB-ID: #VU64421

Risk: Critical

CVSSv3.1: 8.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-20798

CWE-ID: CWE-287 - Improper Authentication

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass authentication process.

The vulnerability exists due to an error improper authentication checks when using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for external authentication. A remote non-authenticated attacker can bypass specially crafted data to the login page of the affected device, bypass the authenticated process and gain unauthorized access to the system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Secure Email Gateway: All versions

Cisco AsyncOS for Cisco Email Security Appliance: before 14.0.1-033

Cisco Email Security Appliance: before 14.0.1-033

Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager: before 14.1.0-250

External links

http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sma-esa-auth-bypass-66kEcxQD
http://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCvy13453
http://bst.cloudapps.cisco.com/bugsearch/bug/CSCvx88026

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.