CVE-2022-40022 – CVE-2022-40022 is a critical command injection ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-40022?

CVE-2022-40022 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). CVE-2022-40022 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Microchip Technology SyncServer S650 network time servers that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. This affects organizations using these devices for time synchronization in network infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in the web interface and can be exploited without authentication.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2022-40022 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Microchip Technology SyncServer S650 network time servers that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. This affects organizations using these devices for time synchronization in network infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in the web interface and can be exploited without authentication.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Microchip Technology (Microsemi) SyncServer S650

Versions: All versions prior to patched firmware

Operating Systems: Embedded Linux-based firmware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: The vulnerability is in the web management interface and affects default configurations. Devices are typically deployed as network appliances for NTP/PTP time synchronization.

📦 What is this software?

Syncserver S650 Firmware by Microchip

View all CVEs affecting Syncserver S650 Firmware →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise allowing attackers to gain root access, install persistent backdoors, pivot to internal networks, disrupt time synchronization services, and potentially cause cascading network failures.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution leading to device takeover, data exfiltration, and use as a foothold for lateral movement within the network.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if devices are properly segmented, monitored, and have network access restricted to authorized management systems only.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication and public exploit code exists, making internet-facing devices immediate targets.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internally, the vulnerability allows unauthenticated exploitation, making any network-accessible device vulnerable to internal threats.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: CONFIRMED

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Public exploit code is available on Packet Storm Security. The vulnerability requires minimal technical skill to exploit and works without authentication.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check Microchip/Microsemi security advisories for specific patched firmware version

Vendor Advisory: https://www.microsemi.com/campaigns/network-time-servers/S650p/

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check current firmware version. 2. Download latest firmware from Microchip/Microsemi support portal. 3. Backup configuration. 4. Apply firmware update via web interface or CLI. 5. Verify update completed successfully. 6. Restart device if required.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate SyncServer devices from untrusted networks and restrict access to management interfaces

Access Control Lists

linux

Restrict web interface access to specific trusted IP addresses only

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s trusted_ip -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s trusted_ip -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Immediately isolate affected devices from internet and untrusted networks using firewall rules
Implement strict network segmentation and monitor all traffic to/from SyncServer devices for suspicious activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if device responds to exploit attempts or review firmware version against vendor advisory

Check Version:

Check web interface System Information page or use SNMP queries to determine firmware version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version matches patched version from vendor advisory and test that exploit no longer works

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual command execution in system logs
Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful access
Unexpected process creation or system modifications

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests with command injection patterns to web interface
Outbound connections from SyncServer to unexpected destinations
Unusual NTP traffic patterns

SIEM Query:

source="syncserver" AND (http_uri="*;*" OR http_uri="*|*" OR http_uri="*`*" OR http_uri="*$(*)")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-40022

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-77

Published: February 13, 2023

Last Updated: March 21, 2025

🔗 References

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