CVE-2026-22567 is a vulnerability identified in Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Admin UI version 6.2, stemming from improper input validation (CWE-20). This flaw allows an authenticated administrator to supply crafted input through specific UI fields, which the system fails to properly sanitize or validate, enabling the initiation of backend functions that may not be intended or authorized. The vulnerability does not require additional user interaction beyond the administrator's authenticated session, but it does require elevated privileges (administrator access). The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.6 reflects a high-severity issue, with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), high privileges required (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), and scope changed (S:C). The impact on confidentiality is high, indicating potential unauthorized access to sensitive data or system information, while integrity impact is low and availability is unaffected. The vulnerability could allow an attacker with admin credentials to perform unauthorized backend operations, potentially leading to data leakage or unauthorized configuration changes. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the nature of the affected component and the privileges required. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies.

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using Zscaler ZIA Admin UI version 6.2, particularly those relying on it for secure internet access and policy enforcement. An attacker with administrator credentials could exploit this flaw to execute unauthorized backend functions, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or leakage, manipulation of security policies, or exposure of sensitive configuration details. Although availability is not impacted, the confidentiality breach could have severe consequences, including compliance violations, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Since exploitation requires admin privileges, the threat is mitigated somewhat by existing access controls; however, insider threats or compromised admin accounts elevate the risk. The scope change indicates that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the immediate UI, increasing the attack surface and potential damage. Organizations worldwide that depend on Zscaler for cloud security and internet access, especially those in regulated industries or with critical infrastructure, face heightened risk if this vulnerability is not addressed promptly.

Given the absence of an official patch at the time of disclosure, organizations should implement several specific mitigations: 1) Restrict administrator access strictly using the principle of least privilege and enforce strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 2) Monitor and audit all administrative actions within the ZIA Admin UI to detect unusual or unauthorized backend function invocations. 3) Employ network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of the ZIA Admin UI to trusted networks and personnel only. 4) Temporarily disable or restrict use of the affected input fields or backend functions if feasible, until a patch is available. 5) Engage with Zscaler support for any available workarounds or interim fixes. 6) Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to potential data exposure scenarios. 7) Educate administrators on the risks of this vulnerability and encourage vigilance against phishing or social engineering that could lead to credential theft. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control hardening, monitoring, and operational restrictions specific to the vulnerability's exploitation vector.