SOC status:Duty analyst on shift

UK Cyber Defence
VulnerabilityModified

CVE-2022-23635

In affected versions the Istio control plane, `istiod`, is vulnerable to a request processing error, allowing a malicious attacker that sends a specially crafted message which results in the control plane crashing.

HIGH 7.5EPSS 1.66%

Does this matter?

High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (1.66%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.

Description

Istio is an open platform to connect, manage, and secure microservices. In affected versions the Istio control plane, `istiod`, is vulnerable to a request processing error, allowing a malicious attacker that sends a specially crafted message which results in the control plane crashing. This endpoint is served over TLS port 15012, but does not require any authentication from the attacker. For simple installations, Istiod is typically only reachable from within the cluster, limiting the blast radius. However, for some deployments, especially [multicluster](https://istio.io/latest/docs/setup/install/multicluster/primary-remote/) topologies, this port is exposed over the public internet. There are no effective workarounds, beyond upgrading. Limiting network access to Istiod to the minimal set of clients can help lessen the scope of the vulnerability to some extent.

CVSS 3.1
7.5 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS
1.66% probability · 75th percentile
CISA KEV
Not listed
Weakness
CWE-287, CWE-1284
Affected
istio/istio
Source
security-advisories@github.com

Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.