Critical Security Alert: CVE-2022-2068

Welcome to an urgent security discussion at LinuxPatch! Today, we're delving into a significant cybersecurity issue identified as CVE-2022-2068. This vulnerability has been rated critical, with a severity score of 9.8. It's crucial for all users and administrators to understand the risks and implement necessary patches to ensure security and compliance.

Understanding CVE-2022-2068

The CVE-2022-2068 vulnerability involves the c_rehash script, a component that was historically used with OpenSSL, a software library designed to secure communications over computer networks against eavesdropping. However, problems with this script have persisted, leading to severe security implications.

What Is c_rehash?

c_rehash is a script that automates the process of creating symbolic links to certificate files, making it easier to manage and verify them. This script was commonly used to handle certificates by hashing them and creating symbolic links with their hash values as filenames.

The Vulnerability Explained

The specific issue with CVE-2022-2068 stems from inadequate sanitization of shell metacharacters within the c_rehash script. Even after an initial fix for a similar issue, CVE-2022-1292, further review exposed more vulnerabilities in areas of the script where filenames could be manipulated maliciously to execute arbitrary commands through the shell. This danger is compounded on systems where the script is automatically executed, potentially granting attackers the ability to run harmful commands with the same privileges as the script.

Impacted Software Versions

This vulnerability affects multiple versions of OpenSSL:

  • OpenSSL 3.0.0 to 3.0.3
  • OpenSSL 1.1.1 through 1.1.1o
  • OpenSSL 1.0.2 through 1.0.2ze

Users and administrators are urged to verify the version of OpenSSL they are running and update immediately if they are within these affected ranges.

Recommended Actions

For security and compliance, users of the affected versions should immediately transition to the updated versions of OpenSSL, which have addressed this vulnerability. Specifically, updates are available in:

  • OpenSSL 3.0.4
  • OpenSSL 1.1.1p
  • OpenSSL 1.0.2zf

Additionally, the use of c_rehash is now considered obsolete. Users should switch to using the OpenSSL rehash command line tool, which is designed to perform the same functions without the vulnerabilities associated with the c_rehash script.

LinuxPatch Support

If you are one of our clients and need assistance updating your OpenSSL or transitioning from c_rehash, LinuxPatch is here to help. Our support teams are ready to provide you with guidance and direct support to ensure your systems are secure and up-to-date.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-2068 is a stark reminder of the importance of regular security audits, timely updates, and the necessity of moving away from obsolete methods that might compromise security. We encourage all users to review their systems and apply all necessary updates immediately to protect their networks from potential threats.