CVE-2022-40139
Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service Improper Validation Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2022-40139 is a vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service involving improper validation of rollback mechanism components that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected installations. The flaw exists in how the product validates components used during its rollback mechanism, which can be manipulated to achieve remote code execution. CISA added CVE-2022-40139 to the KEV catalog on September 15, 2022. The EPSS score of 12.88% (93.94th percentile) indicates elevated exploitation probability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| trendmicro | apex one | -; 2019 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000291528(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-40139(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
CVE-2022-40139 exploits an improper input validation weakness in Trend Micro Apex One's rollback mechanism. The product fails to adequately validate the components used during rollback operations, allowing an attacker to supply malicious components that are executed by the endpoint security software.
Learn more: CWE-20 — Improper Input Validation
Impact Analysis
CVE-2022-40139 allows remote code execution through Trend Micro Apex One's rollback mechanism, affecting both on-premises Apex One and Apex One as a Service deployments. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have access to the Apex One administration console, which limits the initial attack vector but still represents a significant threat. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are impacted since the endpoint security agent runs with high privileges on protected systems. A compromised endpoint security product is particularly dangerous because it has deep access to the protected system and is typically trusted by other security controls. The EPSS score of 12.88% indicates elevated exploitation probability.
Exploit Maturity
CISA confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2022-40139 and added it to the KEV catalog on September 15, 2022, with a remediation deadline of October 6, 2022. The EPSS score of 12.88% (93.94th percentile) indicates elevated exploitation probability compared to most vulnerabilities. The ransomware association is classified as unknown. Trend Micro acknowledged that the vulnerability was being exploited in targeted attacks, though exploitation requires prior access to the Apex One administration console.
Remediation
- Apply Trend Micro patches: Update Apex One to the latest service pack and critical patches that address CVE-2022-40139. For Apex One as a Service, verify that automatic updates have been applied.
- Restrict console access: Ensure the Apex One administration console is accessible only from trusted management networks and not exposed to the internet.
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Implement MFA for all Apex One administrative access to prevent unauthorized console access.
- Monitor console activity: Review Apex One administration console logs for unusual login activity, configuration changes, and rollback operations.
- Implement network segmentation: Isolate the Apex One management server on a dedicated management VLAN with strict access controls.
Technical Details
CVE-2022-40139 affects the rollback mechanism in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service. The vulnerability exists in the validation logic for components used during product rollback operations. When the Apex One agent performs a rollback to a previous version, it loads and executes rollback components. The improper validation allows a remote attacker who has gained access to the Apex One administration console to supply crafted rollback components that contain malicious code. When the agent processes these tampered components, the malicious code is executed with the privileges of the Apex One agent process, which typically runs with SYSTEM-level privileges on Windows endpoints. This makes the vulnerability a potent post-authentication remote code execution vector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2022-40139 being actively exploited?
Yes, CVE-2022-40139 has been actively exploited. Trend Micro confirmed targeted exploitation, and CISA added it to the KEV catalog on September 15, 2022. The EPSS score of 12.88% indicates elevated exploitation probability.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-40139?
CVE-2022-40139 affects Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service. Both on-premises and cloud-hosted deployments are impacted.
How do I fix CVE-2022-40139?
Apply the latest Trend Micro Apex One patches and service packs. Restrict access to the Apex One administration console and implement MFA.
How severe is CVE-2022-40139?
CVE-2022-40139 is a high-severity vulnerability with an EPSS score of 12.88% (93.94th percentile). While it requires console access for exploitation, the high-privilege execution context of the Apex One agent makes successful exploitation particularly dangerous.
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