CVE-2022-38628 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Nortek Linear eMerge E3-Series devices, specifically firmware versions 0.32-08f, 0.32-07p, 0.32-07e, 0.32-09c, 0.32-09b, 0.32-09a, and 0.32-08e. The vulnerability involves a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw combined with a local session fixation attack vector. Cross-site scripting allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web interfaces, which when executed by a victim’s browser, can lead to unauthorized actions or data disclosure. The session fixation component enables an attacker to set or fix a user’s session identifier before authentication, facilitating privilege escalation by hijacking or manipulating authenticated sessions. The chaining of these two vulnerabilities means an attacker can first exploit the XSS to deliver malicious payloads and then leverage session fixation to escalate privileges within the device’s management interface. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1 reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but does not affect availability. The vulnerability scope is changed, indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Nortek Linear eMerge E3-Series devices are typically used in building access control and security systems, which are critical infrastructure components in many organizations. No public exploits are currently known, and no patches have been linked in the provided data, indicating that mitigation may require vendor engagement or configuration changes.

For European organizations, especially those in sectors relying on physical security and access control such as government facilities, corporate offices, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access and privilege escalation within security management systems. Exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate access controls, potentially granting unauthorized entry or disrupting security monitoring. The confidentiality and integrity of access logs and user credentials could be compromised, undermining trust in security operations. Given the network attack vector and low complexity, attackers could remotely target exposed devices, particularly if the management interfaces are accessible from less secure networks. This could lead to lateral movement within organizational networks or facilitate further attacks against physical security. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. The impact is heightened in environments where these devices are integrated with broader security or building management systems.

1. Restrict network access to Nortek Linear eMerge E3-Series management interfaces by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure to trusted administrative networks only. 2. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and session management policies to reduce the risk of session fixation exploitation, including regenerating session identifiers upon login and logout. 3. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual activity indicative of XSS attempts or session hijacking. 4. Engage with Nortek or authorized vendors to obtain firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability; if unavailable, request guidance on configuration hardening. 5. Disable or limit web interface functionalities that are not essential, reducing the attack surface. 6. Educate administrators about the risks of social engineering or phishing that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 7. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) that can detect and block XSS payloads targeting these devices. 8. Regularly audit and update device configurations to ensure adherence to security best practices and promptly apply any future patches.