CVE-2022-41917 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting OpenSearch, an open-source search and analytics suite derived from Elasticsearch and Kibana. The vulnerability arises from the way OpenSearch handles user-specified local files in the configuration of text analyzers used for processing data. Specifically, the implementation allows specially crafted queries to retrieve the first line of arbitrary text files accessible under the Java Security Manager's read permissions. This means that an attacker who can send queries to a vulnerable OpenSearch instance can potentially extract sensitive information from files on the host system, such as configuration files, logs, or other text-based data, without proper authorization. The scope of files that can be read is limited to those with read permissions granted by the Java Security Manager policy, which may restrict some access but still leaves a significant attack surface. The vulnerability affects OpenSearch versions prior to 1.3.7 and versions from 2.0.0 up to but not including 2.4.0. Fixed versions 1.3.7 and 2.4.0 address this issue. There are no known workarounds, so upgrading is the primary remediation. No exploits have been observed in the wild to date. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, indicating exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Exploitation does not require authentication or user interaction beyond sending crafted queries, which increases the risk if the OpenSearch instance is exposed to untrusted networks or users. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by potentially leaking sensitive file contents, but does not directly affect integrity or availability of the system.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on servers running vulnerable OpenSearch versions. Given that OpenSearch is used in various sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce for search and analytics, exposure of configuration files, credentials, or internal logs could lead to further compromise or data breaches. Organizations processing personal data under GDPR must be particularly cautious, as leakage of personal or sensitive data could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The ease of exploitation without authentication means that any exposed OpenSearch endpoint accessible from the internet or untrusted networks is at risk. This could facilitate reconnaissance and lateral movement by attackers. The vulnerability does not directly disrupt service availability or data integrity but can serve as an entry point for more severe attacks. The impact is heightened in environments where Java Security Manager policies are permissive or improperly configured, increasing the range of accessible files. Overall, the vulnerability undermines confidentiality and could lead to compliance issues and operational risks for European entities relying on OpenSearch for critical data processing.

1. Immediate upgrade of OpenSearch instances to version 1.3.7 or 2.4.0 or later is the most effective mitigation. 2. Review and tighten Java Security Manager policies to restrict read permissions only to necessary files, minimizing the attack surface. 3. Restrict network access to OpenSearch endpoints using firewalls, VPNs, or IP allowlists to prevent unauthorized query submissions from untrusted sources. 4. Implement authentication and authorization controls on OpenSearch APIs to ensure only trusted users can submit queries. 5. Monitor OpenSearch logs for unusual query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting file reading. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on OpenSearch configurations and access controls. 7. If upgrading immediately is not feasible, consider isolating OpenSearch instances from public networks and limiting access to trusted internal users only. 8. Educate system administrators about the risks of exposing OpenSearch endpoints and the importance of applying security patches promptly.