CVE-2022-31130 is a vulnerability identified in the open-source Grafana platform, which is widely used for observability and data visualization. The issue affects Grafana versions prior to 8.5.14 and versions from 9.0.0 up to but not including 9.1.8. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication tokens when interacting with certain destination plugins via data source and plugin proxy endpoints. Under specific conditions, these endpoints could inadvertently expose a user's Grafana authentication token to destination plugins. This exposure occurs because the authentication tokens, which may include API keys, JWT tokens, or other HTTP header-based authentication credentials, are leaked to plugins that should not have access to them. Such leakage constitutes an exposure of sensitive information (CWE-200) to unauthorized actors, potentially enabling attackers to impersonate users or escalate privileges within the Grafana environment. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but depends on the presence and use of certain plugins and authentication methods. The issue was addressed in Grafana versions 8.5.14 and 9.1.8, which include patches to prevent token leakage. As a temporary mitigation, it is recommended to avoid using API keys, JWT authentication, or any HTTP header-based authentication until patched versions are deployed. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk if exploited, especially in environments where sensitive dashboards and data are visualized and managed.

For European organizations, the exposure of authentication tokens in Grafana can lead to unauthorized access to monitoring and observability data, which may include sensitive operational metrics, infrastructure details, and business-critical information. Attackers gaining access through leaked tokens could manipulate dashboards, extract confidential data, or disrupt monitoring capabilities, impacting the integrity and availability of IT operations. This could further facilitate lateral movement within networks or enable attackers to cover their tracks by altering logs and monitoring data. Given the widespread adoption of Grafana in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government agencies across Europe, the impact could be significant, especially for organizations relying heavily on real-time data visualization for operational decision-making and security monitoring. The vulnerability's exploitation could undermine trust in monitoring systems and potentially lead to compliance violations under regulations like GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed indirectly through dashboards or plugins.

1. Immediate upgrade to Grafana versions 8.5.14 or 9.1.8 (or later) to apply the official patches addressing this vulnerability. 2. Until patching is possible, disable or avoid using destination plugins that handle data source or plugin proxy endpoints, especially those that require authentication tokens. 3. Refrain from using API keys, JWT authentication, or any HTTP header-based authentication methods in Grafana configurations to minimize token exposure risk. 4. Conduct an audit of all installed plugins to identify and remove or update any that might be vulnerable to token leakage. 5. Implement strict network segmentation and access controls around Grafana instances to limit exposure to untrusted networks or users. 6. Monitor Grafana logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or token usage anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Educate administrators and developers on secure plugin development and configuration practices to prevent similar issues. 8. Review and rotate any potentially exposed API keys or tokens post-remediation to invalidate compromised credentials.