CVE-2022-20798: cisco cisco email security appliance (esa) Improper Authentication

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2022-20798 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Improper Authentication vulnerability in cisco cisco email security appliance (esa). EPSS estimates a 1.54% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 74.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 15-06-2022
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 01-11-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A vulnerability in the external authentication functionality of Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager, formerly known as Cisco Security Management Appliance (SMA), and Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and log in to the web management interface of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper authentication checks when an affected device uses Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for external authentication. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by entering a specific input on the login page of the affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the web-based management interface of the affected device.

• CWE-287Improper AuthenticationWhen an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.