Powershell Universal: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2022-45183 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in Powershell Universal from Ironmansoftware, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 2.12.6, 3.4.7, 3.5.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating Powershell Universal to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.97% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Powershell Universal to 2.12.6 or 3.4.7 or 3.5.3, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on blog.ironmansoftware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ironmansoftware | Powershell Universal | 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 2.12.6; 3.0.0 up to, but not including, 3.4.7; 3.5.0 up to, but not including, 3.5.3 | 2.12.6, 3.4.7, 3.5.3 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
Escalation of privileges in the Web Server in Ironman Software PowerShell Universal 2.x and 3.x allows an attacker with a valid app token to retrieve other app tokens by ID via an HTTP web request. Patched Versions are 3.5.3, 3.4.7, and 2.12.6.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Powershell Universal
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.