CVE-2022-37706
Published: 25 December 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-37706 is a high-severity Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269) vulnerability in Enlightenment Enlightenment. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
Enlightenment before version 0.25.4 contains a local privilege-escalation vulnerability in the enlightenment_sys component. The binary is installed setuid root, and a system library function used for pathname handling fails to correctly process strings that begin with the substring /dev/.., allowing an attacker to bypass intended access restrictions.
A local user with a valid account on an affected system can invoke enlightenment_sys to obtain root privileges. The flaw is classified under CWE-269 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Public references point to upstream commits that correct the pathname handling logic; administrators should upgrade to Enlightenment 0.25.4 or later. A proof-of-concept exploit is available in a public repository, and the CVE maintains an EPSS score near 0.55.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-40320
Vulnerability details
enlightenment_sys in Enlightenment before 0.25.4 allows local users to gain privileges because it is setuid root, and the system library function mishandles pathnames that begin with a /dev/.. substring.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Policy addresses roles, responsibilities, and privilege management to prevent improper privilege assignments.
Access supervision ensures privileges are assigned and managed without improper escalation or retention.
Assigning group/role memberships and access authorizations (privileges) while reviewing accounts addresses improper privilege management.
Enforces proper privilege management by requiring all decisions through the verified reference monitor.
By mandating division of duties across roles, the control enforces proper privilege management and prevents a single entity from controlling an entire sensitive process.
Implements core proper privilege management by restricting to only required rights.
Policy requires training on privilege management and least privilege, making it harder to exploit improper privilege management weaknesses.
Training covers proper privilege management practices, making incorrect privilege assignments less likely.