CVE-2022-38120 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in UPSMON PRO version 2.57, a product developed by POWERCOM CO., LTD. This vulnerability arises from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (CWE-22), allowing a remote attacker with general user privileges to bypass authentication mechanisms and access arbitrary system files on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L). Although the attacker must have some level of privileges (PR:L), no additional authentication or user interaction is needed to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality significantly (C:H), as unauthorized access to sensitive files can lead to information disclosure, but it does not affect integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, categorizing it as a medium severity issue. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is the failure to properly sanitize or restrict file path inputs, enabling directory traversal attacks that can escape intended directory boundaries and access files outside the permitted scope. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other critical data stored on the system running UPSMON PRO. Given that UPSMON PRO is a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) monitoring software, it is typically deployed in environments requiring reliable power management and monitoring, such as data centers, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure environments. The ability to bypass authentication and access arbitrary files remotely poses a significant risk to operational security and data confidentiality in these contexts.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2022-38120 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive system files, potentially exposing credentials, configuration data, or other critical information related to UPSMON PRO and the underlying system. This could facilitate further attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on UPSMON PRO for monitoring UPS devices in critical infrastructure sectors—such as energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and data centers—may face increased risks of operational disruption or data breaches. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could undermine trust in power management systems and complicate incident response efforts. Additionally, attackers gaining access to sensitive files might identify further vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, amplifying the threat. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not immediately critical, it warrants timely remediation to prevent potential exploitation, especially in environments where UPSMON PRO is integral to infrastructure monitoring and management.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting network access to UPSMON PRO management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only, using network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. 2. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems running UPSMON PRO to detect unusual file access patterns or unauthorized attempts to traverse directories. 3. Regularly audit and review user privileges to ensure that only necessary users have general user privileges that could be leveraged for exploitation. 4. Since no official patch is currently linked, consider deploying virtual patching via Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) that can detect and block path traversal attack patterns targeting UPSMON PRO. 5. Monitor vendor communications closely for official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Conduct internal penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on path traversal and authentication bypass vectors within UPSMON PRO deployments. 7. Employ file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access or changes to critical system files. 8. Educate system administrators about this specific vulnerability and encourage vigilance for suspicious activity related to UPSMON PRO systems.