CVE-2022-22952: VMware Carbon Black App Control RCE Flaw

CVE-2022-22952 Overview

CVE-2022-22952 is a file upload vulnerability affecting VMware Carbon Black App Control, a security solution used to enforce application whitelisting and control on Windows systems. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor with administrative access to the VMware App Control administration interface to execute arbitrary code on the Windows instance where the AppC Server is installed by uploading a specially crafted file.

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type), indicating that the application fails to properly validate or restrict file uploads through its administrative interface. Successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the Carbon Black App Control server and potentially the broader environment it protects.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers with administrative privileges can achieve remote code execution on the AppC Server, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire application control infrastructure.

Affected Products

• VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.5.x prior to 8.5.14
• VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.6.x prior to 8.6.6
• VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.7.x prior to 8.7.4
• VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.8.x prior to 8.8.2
• Microsoft Windows (as the underlying operating system)

Discovery Timeline

• March 23, 2022 - CVE-2022-22952 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-22952

Vulnerability Analysis

This file upload vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of VMware Carbon Black App Control. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of files uploaded through the management console, allowing attackers to upload malicious files that can be executed on the underlying Windows server.

The attack requires administrative credentials to the Carbon Black App Control administration interface, making this a post-authentication vulnerability. However, once an attacker has obtained these credentials—whether through phishing, credential theft, or other means—they can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the AppC Server process.

The impact is particularly significant because Carbon Black App Control is a security product designed to enforce application whitelisting policies across an organization. Compromising this server could allow attackers to disable security controls, whitelist malicious applications, or pivot to other systems within the protected environment.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-22952 is improper validation of file uploads in the VMware Carbon Black App Control administration interface. The application fails to adequately verify the type, content, or extension of uploaded files, allowing specially crafted malicious files to be uploaded and subsequently executed on the server.

This represents a CWE-434 vulnerability where unrestricted file upload capabilities allow attackers to bypass intended security controls and introduce executable content into the system.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network through the administrative web interface. An attacker with valid administrative credentials accesses the Carbon Black App Control management console and leverages the file upload functionality to upload a specially crafted malicious file. Due to insufficient validation, the malicious file is accepted by the server and can be executed, resulting in code execution on the Windows host where the AppC Server is installed.

The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond the attacker's own actions. The scope is changed (per CVSS metrics), meaning that a successful exploit can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire protected environment.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-22952

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected file uploads to the Carbon Black App Control server directories
• Unusual process execution originating from the AppC Server application or its web directory
• New or modified files with executable content in web-accessible directories
• Administrative login activity from unexpected IP addresses or geographic locations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Carbon Black App Control administrative interface access logs for unusual file upload activities
• Implement file integrity monitoring on AppC Server directories to detect unauthorized file additions or modifications
• Review Windows Security event logs for process creation events associated with the AppC Server
• Correlate administrative authentication events with subsequent file system and process activities

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the Carbon Black App Control administration interface
• Implement network traffic analysis for connections to the administrative interface from non-standard locations
• Configure alerts for file upload events and subsequent process execution patterns
• Regularly audit administrative account access and review for compromised credentials

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-22952

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade VMware Carbon Black App Control to patched versions immediately: 8.5.14, 8.6.6, 8.7.4, or 8.8.2 depending on your version branch
• Restrict network access to the Carbon Black App Control administrative interface to authorized management networks only
• Review and audit all administrative account credentials and implement multi-factor authentication where possible
• Monitor for any signs of exploitation prior to patching

Patch Information

VMware has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to the following versions or later:

• Version 8.5.14 for the 8.5.x branch
• Version 8.6.6 for the 8.6.x branch
• Version 8.7.4 for the 8.7.x branch
• Version 8.8.2 for the 8.8.x branch

For detailed patching instructions and download links, refer to the VMware Security Advisory VMSA-2022-0008.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to limit access to the administrative interface to trusted management networks only
• Use a web application firewall to inspect and filter malicious file uploads
• Enforce strict access controls and review administrative account privileges regularly
• Consider temporarily disabling file upload functionality if operationally feasible until patches can be applied

# Example: Restrict administrative interface access via Windows Firewall
# Allow access only from trusted management subnet
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Restrict AppC Admin Interface" ^
    dir=in action=allow protocol=tcp localport=443 ^
    remoteip=10.0.100.0/24 ^
    program="C:\Program Files\Carbon Black\Carbon Black App Control\AppCServer.exe"

# Block all other inbound connections to the administrative port
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block AppC Admin External" ^
    dir=in action=block protocol=tcp localport=443 ^
    program="C:\Program Files\Carbon Black\Carbon Black App Control\AppCServer.exe"