CVE-2022-44268
Published: 06 February 2023
Summary
CVE-2022-44268 is a medium-severity Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor (CWE-200) vulnerability in Imagemagick Imagemagick. Its CVSS base score is 6.5 (Medium).
Operationally, ranked in the top 0.5% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
ImageMagick 7.1.0-49 is affected by an information disclosure vulnerability when parsing PNG images, for example during resize operations. The resulting output image can embed the contents of an arbitrary file on the system, provided the magick binary has read access to it. The flaw is classified under CWE-200 with a CVSS 3.1 score of 6.5 reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and high confidentiality impact.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the issue by causing a vulnerable ImageMagick installation to process a malicious PNG file. This allows disclosure of sensitive file contents without modifying data or causing denial of service, though the attack requires the victim to trigger image handling such as through a web application or command-line invocation.
Distribution advisories from Debian and Fedora, along with the ImageMagick project site, point to updated packages that remediate the flaw. Public references also include proof-of-concept material demonstrating arbitrary file reads via crafted PNG inputs.
The associated EPSS score stands at a current value of 0.8853 with a recorded peak of 0.8936.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-47216
Vulnerability details
ImageMagick 7.1.0-49 is vulnerable to Information Disclosure. When it parses a PNG image (e.g., for resize), the resulting image could have embedded the content of an arbitrary. file (if the magick binary has permissions to read it).
- 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.
Automated marking applies security attributes to system outputs, making it harder for attackers to exploit unmarked sensitive information leading to unauthorized exposure.
Proper attribute retention and permitted-value enforcement limits unauthorized actors from accessing sensitive information lacking correct labels.
Prevents unauthorized exposure of sensitive information by prohibiting untrusted external systems from processing or storing it.
By enforcing authorization matching prior to sharing, the control reduces the risk of exposing sensitive information to unauthorized actors.
Review and removal of nonpublic information from publicly accessible systems directly prevents exposure of sensitive data to unauthorized actors.
Data mining protection mechanisms detect and block unauthorized bulk extraction of sensitive data, directly mitigating exposure to unauthorized actors.
Literacy training teaches users to recognize and avoid actions that result in unauthorized exposure of sensitive information.
Retaining and monitoring training records confirms personnel have completed privacy and security awareness training on handling sensitive data, reducing the chance of unauthorized exposure due to lack of knowledge.