CVE-2022-22423 is a vulnerability identified in IBM's Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA) software for the IBM 4767 and 4769 cryptographic coprocessor hardware modules, specifically affecting versions 5.x for MTM 4767 and 7.x for MTM 4769. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation, which can be exploited by a local user with limited privileges to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition. The flaw is categorized under CWE-20, indicating that the software does not correctly validate input data, leading to unexpected behavior. In this case, the improper input validation allows an attacker to cause the cryptographic module or its associated software to crash or become unresponsive, thereby disrupting cryptographic operations. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have some level of access (low privileges) on the affected system. No user interaction is needed, and the impact is limited to availability, with no direct confidentiality or integrity compromise. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no official patches have been linked in the provided information. The affected versions span multiple releases, including 5.0 through 5.7.11 and 7.0 through 7.3.43, indicating a broad range of impacted deployments. Given the nature of the IBM CCA software, which is used to secure cryptographic operations in high-assurance environments such as financial services and government agencies, this vulnerability could disrupt critical cryptographic services if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant in sectors relying on IBM 4767/4769 cryptographic hardware modules for secure cryptographic processing, such as banking, finance, government, and critical infrastructure. A denial of service on these cryptographic modules could halt secure transaction processing, key management, or cryptographic authentication services, leading to operational downtime and potential service outages. This disruption could affect payment processing systems, secure communications, and compliance with regulatory requirements for data protection and cryptographic integrity. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could lead to cascading effects, including delayed transactions, loss of customer trust, and regulatory scrutiny. The requirement for local access limits the attack surface to insiders or attackers who have already breached perimeter defenses, but insider threats or lateral movement within networks could exploit this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the critical role of the affected hardware in secure environments means organizations should prioritize mitigation to maintain operational continuity.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first identify all systems utilizing IBM CCA for MTM 4767 and 4769 within their infrastructure, focusing on the affected software versions listed. Since no direct patch links are provided, organizations should consult IBM's official security advisories and support channels for any available updates or hotfixes addressing CVE-2022-22423. In parallel, implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges on systems hosting the cryptographic modules, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access. Employ robust monitoring and auditing of local user activities to detect any anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and isolation of cryptographic hardware modules can reduce the risk of lateral movement by attackers. Additionally, establish incident response procedures to quickly recover from potential denial of service events, including failover mechanisms or redundant cryptographic processing capabilities. Regularly review and update security policies to address insider threat risks and enforce the principle of least privilege. Finally, maintain awareness of IBM security bulletins for any emerging exploit information or patches.