Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-39197 is a cross-site scripting issue in Cobalt Strike through 4.7. A maliciously altered payload field could cause HTML execution on the teamserver when a user interacts with the payload workflow. CISA lists it in KEV, so treat it as known exploited, despite the medium CVSS score.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation if Cobalt Strike is present. The CVSS score is medium, but CISA KEV status makes this a time-sensitive exposure for security operations environments.
Technical view
The CVE describes CWE-79 XSS affecting HelpSystems Cobalt Strike through 4.7, with CVSS 3.1 score 6.1. The attack is network-reachable, low complexity, and requires user interaction. The vendor published an out-of-band Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 update, indicating upgrade is the primary remediation path.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to organizations operating Cobalt Strike teamservers through version 4.7. The risk is operationally important because Cobalt Strike is often used by red teams and security teams, and compromised teamserver workflows can affect sensitive internal security operations.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV listing for CVE-2022-39197. The source bundle does not provide exploit volume, affected campaign details, or confirmed victim sectors. Do not assume broader product impact beyond Cobalt Strike through 4.7.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports Cobalt Strike through 4.7, CWE-79, CVSS 6.1, and known exploitation via CISA KEV. The bundle does not include exploit telemetry, detailed indicators, or non-upgrade mitigations. Keep analysis bounded to vendor and CISA guidance.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 out-of-band update.
- Confirm no teamserver remains on Cobalt Strike 4.7 or earlier.
- Review vendor release notes for any additional operational guidance.
- Prioritize KEV remediation tracking for any confirmed affected instance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Cobalt Strike teamservers and record exact versions.
- Verify upgraded instances report Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 or newer.
- Check vulnerability management records for CVE-2022-39197 coverage.
- Review teamserver access logs for unusual payload inspection activity.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-39197 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.82.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.1MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.cobaltstrike.com/blog/tag/release/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cobaltstrike.com/blog/out-of-band-update-cobalt-strike-4-7-1/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-39197CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.