#VU69240 OS Command Injection in xterm - CVE-2022-45063

Vulnerability identifier: #VU69240

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 6.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-45063

CWE-ID: CWE-78

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
xterm
Other software / Other software solutions

Vendor: invisible-island.net

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation when processing font ops. A remote attacker can trick the victim into opening a specially crafted file and execute arbitrary OS commands on the target system within the vi line-editing mode of Zsh.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

xterm: 300c - 374

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External links
https://invisible-island.net/xterm/xterm.log.html
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/11/10/1
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33546415
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/11/10/1
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/11/10/5

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.