CVE-2022-38113 is a vulnerability identified in SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM) versions 2022.2 and earlier. The issue is classified under CWE-200, which pertains to the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Specifically, this vulnerability involves the disclosure of build and service version information within the server response headers. When a client sends a request to the SolarWinds SEM server, the server includes detailed version information in its HTTP response headers. This information can reveal the exact build and service pack levels of the deployed software. While this does not directly allow an attacker to execute code or gain unauthorized access, it provides valuable intelligence that can be leveraged in targeted attacks. For example, knowing the precise version can help an attacker identify whether the system is vulnerable to other known exploits or unpatched vulnerabilities associated with that version. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction to be exploited, as the version information is exposed in standard server responses. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no official patches or mitigation links have been provided by SolarWinds. The vulnerability was reserved on August 9, 2022, and publicly disclosed on November 23, 2022. The exposure is limited to information leakage rather than direct compromise, but it can facilitate reconnaissance activities by threat actors targeting SolarWinds SEM deployments.

For European organizations, the exposure of detailed version information in SolarWinds SEM can increase the risk of targeted cyberattacks. SolarWinds SEM is widely used for security event management, log collection, and monitoring, often within critical infrastructure, government agencies, and large enterprises. By revealing version details, attackers can tailor their attack strategies to exploit other known vulnerabilities specific to the disclosed versions or develop zero-day exploits more efficiently. This can lead to increased chances of successful intrusion, lateral movement, or data exfiltration. Although the vulnerability itself does not directly compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability, it lowers the barrier for attackers to conduct effective reconnaissance and subsequent attacks. European organizations with high-value assets, such as financial institutions, energy providers, and public sector entities, may be particularly at risk due to the strategic importance of their operations and the prevalence of SolarWinds products in these sectors. Additionally, given the geopolitical climate and increased cyber espionage activities targeting Europe, attackers may leverage this information exposure to facilitate more sophisticated campaigns.

1. Restrict access to SolarWinds SEM interfaces to trusted networks and IP addresses using network segmentation and firewall rules to reduce exposure to unauthorized actors. 2. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) or reverse proxies that can filter or modify HTTP response headers to remove or obfuscate version information before it reaches clients. 3. Monitor network traffic and server responses for unexpected information disclosures and establish alerts for anomalous requests that may indicate reconnaissance attempts. 4. Regularly review and update SolarWinds SEM configurations and apply any vendor patches or updates as they become available, even though no patch is currently provided for this specific issue. 5. Employ threat intelligence and vulnerability management programs to stay informed about related vulnerabilities affecting the disclosed versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. 6. Conduct internal penetration testing and security assessments to identify and remediate similar information disclosure issues in other systems. 7. Educate security teams about the risks associated with information leakage and incorporate this knowledge into incident response and threat hunting activities.