CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-22719NVD status: Modified

Apache HTTP Server: Improper Initialization

CVE-2022-22719 is a high-severity improper initialization vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Apache HTTP Server versions: Apache HTTP Server 2.4 through 2.4.52. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 69.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.62% of all scored CVEs.

Patch now

Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.

What to do

  1. Update macOS to 10.15.7 or 11.6.6 or 12.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on httpd.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ApacheApache HTTP ServerApache HTTP Server 2.4 through 2.4.52Not stated
ApacheHTTP Server2.4.52 and earlierNot stated
DebianDebian Linux9.0Not stated
Fedora ProjectFedora34; 35; 36Not stated
OracleZfs Storage Appliance Kit8.8Not stated
AppleMac OS X10.15.7Not stated
ApplemacOSbefore 10.15.7; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.6.6; 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.410.15.7, 11.6.6, 12.4

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD
CVSS 2.05.0MediumNVD

Official description

A carefully crafted request body can cause a read to a random memory area which could cause the process to crash. This issue affects Apache HTTP Server 2.4.52 and earlier.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Initialization

The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, in Java, if the programmer does not explicitly initialize a variable, then the code could produce a compile-time error (if the variable is local) or automatically initialize the variable to the default value for the variable's type. In Perl, if explicit initialization is not performed, then a default value of undef is assigned, which is interpreted as 0, false, or an equivalent value depending on the context in which the variable is accessed.
  • Identify all variables and data stores that receive information from external sources, and apply input validation to make sure that they are only initialized to expected values.
  • Explicitly initialize all your variables and other data stores, either during declaration or just before the first usage.

More Improper Initialization vulnerabilities (CWE-665)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Apache HTTP Server

All Apache HTTP Server vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Initialization vulnerabilities

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