Zabbix-agent2: Missing Initialization of Resource
CVE-2022-22704 is a critical-severity missing initialization of resource vulnerability in Zabbix-agent2 from Zabbix, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 5.4.9 as the first without the flaw, so updating Zabbix-agent2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 73% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Zabbix-agent2 to 5.4.9 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zabbix | Zabbix-agent2 | before 5.4.9; 5.4.9 | 5.4.9 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 10.0 | High | NVD |
Official description
The zabbix-agent2 package before 5.4.9-r1 for Alpine Linux sometimes allows privilege escalation to root because the design incorrectly expected that systemd would (in effect) determine part of the configuration.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Initialization of Resource
The product does not initialize a critical resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Explicitly initialize the resource before use. If this is performed through an API function or standard procedure, follow all specified steps.
- Pay close attention to complex conditionals that affect initialization, since some branches might not perform the initialization.
- Avoid race conditions (CWE-362) during initialization routines.
More Missing Initialization of Resource vulnerabilities (CWE-909)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- gitlab.alpinelinux.org/alpine/aports/-/issues/13368Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Zabbix-agent2
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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