CVE-2022-2188 is a privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Trellix DXL Broker for Windows versions prior to 6.0.0.280, specifically affecting the 5.x branch. The vulnerability arises due to weak directory permissions on the logs directory used by the DXL Broker. Local users with access to the system can exploit these weak directory controls to elevate their privileges beyond their assigned level. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, it can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition on the DXL Broker service. This DoS impact occurs because an attacker with elevated privileges could disrupt the operation of the DXL Broker, which is a critical component in Trellix's Data Exchange Layer (DXL) architecture, facilitating secure communication between security products. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but results in high availability impact (A:H). No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date. The weakness is classified under CWE-274, which relates to improper control of permissions or privileges. The lack of patch links suggests that users should verify with Trellix for available updates or mitigations. Overall, this vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to gain elevated privileges by exploiting weak file system permissions, potentially disrupting security infrastructure reliant on DXL Broker.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-2188 can be significant, especially for those relying on Trellix DXL Broker as part of their security infrastructure. The DXL Broker facilitates communication between security products, so a denial-of-service condition could disrupt security monitoring, incident response, and automated threat mitigation workflows. This disruption could delay detection and response to other cyber threats, increasing overall risk exposure. Since the vulnerability requires local access, the primary risk vector is from insiders or attackers who have already compromised a low-privilege account on affected systems. In environments with strict access controls and monitoring, the risk may be mitigated, but in less controlled settings, the vulnerability could be leveraged to escalate privileges and disrupt security operations. Given the medium severity score and the potential for availability impact, organizations should prioritize remediation to maintain the integrity of their security infrastructure. The vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data but undermines the reliability of security services, which is critical for compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR, where maintaining operational security controls is mandatory.

1. Immediate verification of the Trellix DXL Broker version in use is essential; organizations should upgrade to version 6.0.0.280 or later where this vulnerability is addressed. 2. In the absence of an available patch, administrators should manually audit and tighten the permissions on the logs directory and related file system objects to ensure that only authorized system accounts have write and modify access. 3. Implement strict local user access controls and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or anomalous file system changes within the DXL Broker directories. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious local activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular security awareness training for administrators and users with local access to reduce the risk of insider threats. 6. Review and harden the overall security posture of systems hosting the DXL Broker, including applying the principle of least privilege and ensuring that local accounts have minimal permissions. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial-of-service conditions affecting security infrastructure. 8. Engage with Trellix support or trusted security vendors to obtain official patches or recommended configuration changes if not publicly available.