CVE-2022-31004 is a vulnerability identified in the open source project CVEProject/cve-services, which operates the CVE services API. The flaw resides in the 'data.js' file, specifically in a conditional statement that controls the logging behavior of a generated randomKey. When the environment is set to production (i.e., not development), the method writes this randomKey—potentially a sensitive production secret—in plaintext to disk. This excessive logging of sensitive data constitutes a CWE-779 vulnerability, where logging mechanisms inadvertently expose confidential information. The vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.1.1 of cve-services. Although no patch was available at the time of disclosure, a hotfix was anticipated for version 1.1.1 and the 2.x branch. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication to be exploited, but it depends on the application running in a production environment where the vulnerable method is invoked. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date. The primary risk is the exposure of sensitive secrets stored on disk, which could be accessed by unauthorized users or attackers with file system access, potentially leading to further compromise of the CVE services infrastructure or related systems that rely on these secrets for authentication or encryption.

For European organizations utilizing CVEProject/cve-services, particularly those involved in vulnerability management, cybersecurity research, or software supply chain security, this vulnerability poses a risk of secret leakage. Exposure of production secrets can undermine the confidentiality and integrity of the CVE services API, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate services, manipulate vulnerability data, or disrupt operations. Given that CVE services are foundational for vulnerability tracking and remediation, any compromise could cascade into broader security risks, including delayed vulnerability response or misinformation. Organizations relying on this service for automated vulnerability feeds or integrations may face operational disruptions or data integrity issues. The impact is heightened for entities that integrate CVE services into critical infrastructure or national cybersecurity frameworks, where trustworthiness and data confidentiality are paramount.

Immediate mitigation steps include auditing the deployment environment to identify if the vulnerable method is invoked and whether the randomKey is being logged to disk. Organizations should restrict file system permissions to limit access to logs and sensitive files, ensuring only authorized personnel and processes can read them. Until the official patch is released, consider implementing application-level controls to override or disable the logging of sensitive keys in production environments. Monitoring and alerting on unexpected file writes containing sensitive data patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, rotating any secrets that may have been exposed due to this vulnerability is critical to prevent unauthorized access. Organizations should plan to apply the forthcoming hotfix promptly once available and test updates in staging environments before production deployment. Finally, reviewing and hardening logging configurations to avoid excessive or sensitive data logging is recommended as a best practice.