CVE-2022-2780 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting multiple versions of Octopus Deploy's Octopus Server, specifically versions 2021.2.994, 2022.2.6729, and 2022.3.348. The vulnerability arises from the Git Connectivity test function within the Version Control System (VCS) project feature, which can be exploited to initiate Server Message Block (SMB) requests. This behavior opens the door to an NTLM relay attack, a form of authentication bypass. NTLM relay attacks exploit the NTLM authentication protocol by capturing and replaying authentication messages to gain unauthorized access. In this case, the attacker can leverage the SMB request triggered by the Git Connectivity test to relay NTLM authentication tokens to other network resources, effectively bypassing authentication controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-294 (Improper Authentication), indicating a failure to correctly verify user identity. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the potential for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to critical systems through this relay attack is significant. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and can be exploited remotely, increasing its risk profile. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting further elevates the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-2780 can be substantial, especially for those relying on Octopus Server for deployment automation and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, leading to unauthorized access to deployment infrastructure, source code repositories, and potentially sensitive operational data. This could result in the compromise of software supply chains, unauthorized code changes, or disruption of deployment processes, affecting business continuity and data integrity. Given the critical role of Octopus Server in automating deployments, an attacker could manipulate deployments to introduce malicious code or disrupt services. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that organizations could suffer data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. Additionally, the vulnerability's exploitation via NTLM relay attacks could facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. European organizations in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and technology, which often utilize automated deployment tools, are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially as threat actors may develop exploits given the public disclosure.

To mitigate CVE-2022-2780 effectively, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately review and restrict the use of the Git Connectivity test function within Octopus Server, disabling it if not essential. 2) Monitor and control SMB traffic within internal networks, employing network segmentation and SMB relay attack detection tools to limit the attack surface. 3) Implement SMB signing and enforce the use of NTLMv2 with strong authentication policies to reduce the risk of NTLM relay attacks. 4) Apply strict access controls and network-level restrictions to the Octopus Server, limiting exposure to trusted hosts and networks only. 5) Regularly audit and monitor authentication logs for unusual NTLM authentication attempts or relay patterns. 6) Stay informed on Octopus Deploy advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 7) Consider deploying multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible on systems interacting with Octopus Server to add an additional layer of defense. 8) Conduct internal penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on NTLM relay attack vectors and Octopus Server configurations. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and the affected product's operational context.