CVE-2022-42948
KEVFortra Cobalt Strike User Interface Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
Fortra Cobalt Strike User Interface contains an unspecified vulnerability rooted in Java Swing that may allow remote code execution.
Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 fails to properly escape HTML tags when they are displayed on Swing components. By injecting crafted HTML code, it is possible to remotely execute code in the Cobalt Strike UI.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedMar 24, 2023
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVMar 30, 2023
Remediation dueApr 20, 2023
References
- thesecmaster.com/how-to-fix-cve-2022-42948-a-critical-rce-vulnerability-in-cobalt-strike/Technical DescriptionThird Party Advisory
- cobaltstrike.com/blog/Vendor Advisory
- redpacketsecurity.com/helpsystems-cobalt-strike-code-execution-cve-2022-42948/Third Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-42948US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
79
Risk assessment · High
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1285 days
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 2.7% · top 14% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-116
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.