CVE-2022-31703 is a directory traversal vulnerability affecting VMware vRealize Log Insight (vRLI) versions 8.10.1 and prior. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform directory traversal attacks against the vRLI appliance, enabling the injection of arbitrary files into the underlying operating system. Exploitation of this flaw can lead to remote code execution (RCE) on the affected appliance without requiring any authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of file paths, categorized under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). An attacker can craft specially crafted requests to traverse directories and write malicious files, potentially gaining control over the appliance. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.5 (High), with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability due to potential system compromise or disruption. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the published date (December 14, 2022). The vulnerability affects a critical VMware product used for log management and analysis in enterprise environments, often integrated into broader IT infrastructure monitoring and security operations.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could have significant operational and security impacts. vRealize Log Insight is widely used in enterprise environments for centralized log aggregation, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the appliance, potentially leading to disruption of log collection and analysis capabilities. This disruption can impair incident detection and response, increasing the risk of undetected lateral movement or data breaches. Additionally, control over the appliance could be leveraged as a foothold within the network, facilitating further attacks on critical infrastructure. Given the appliance’s role in security monitoring, its compromise could degrade the overall security posture. The lack of required authentication and user interaction lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the risk to organizations. The impact is particularly critical for sectors with stringent compliance and operational continuity requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies prevalent in Europe.

Immediately upgrade vRealize Log Insight to version 8.10.2 or later once VMware releases the patch addressing CVE-2022-31703. Until patches are available, implement network-level access controls to restrict access to the vRLI appliance management interfaces to trusted IP addresses only, minimizing exposure to untrusted networks. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) with custom rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns targeting vRLI endpoints. Regularly audit and monitor logs from vRLI appliances for unusual file creation or modification activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Isolate vRLI appliances within segmented network zones with strict firewall rules to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. Conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on directory traversal and RCE vectors against vRLI deployments to proactively identify exposure. Establish incident response procedures specific to vRLI compromise scenarios, including appliance isolation and forensic analysis.