IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2022-42948|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Fortra Cobalt Strike User Interface Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2022-42948)

Fortra Cobalt Strike User Interface contains an unspecified vulnerability rooted in Java Swing that may allow remote code execution.

Published Mar 24, 2023 · Updated May 29, 2026
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Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-04-20 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-116) (CWE-116) vulnerability in Fortra Cobalt Strike. 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. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

→

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●IT Security
●Running cobalt strike: 4.7.1
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://thesecmaster.com/how-to-fix-cve-2022-42948-a-critical-rce-vulnerability-in-cobalt-strike/

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.cobaltstrike.com/blog/out-of-band-update-cobalt-strike-4-7-2/
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42948
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-42948
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2022-42948↗ Advisory

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