Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 and can let crafted HTML shown in the product’s Swing-based UI trigger remote code execution. Because Cobalt Strike is a security operations and adversary-simulation tool, compromise of its UI can expose highly sensitive operator systems, credentials, and engagement data.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent if Cobalt Strike is present. The affected product is often privileged and security-sensitive, and CISA KEV confirms real-world exploitation. Remediate or isolate affected 4.7.1 use promptly.
Technical view
CVE-2022-42948 is an improper output escaping issue, mapped to CWE-116. Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 does not properly escape HTML tags before displaying them in Swing components, allowing crafted HTML input to reach dangerous UI behavior and execute code remotely in the client context.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 is used by red teams, security consultancies, or internal security teams. The bundle does not identify other affected versions or CPEs.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV lists this CVE, so exploitation in the wild is supported by a government source. The bundle does not provide exploit mechanics, exploit maturity details, or named campaigns.
Researcher notes
The source bundle confirms the vulnerable behavior, CVSS 9.8, CWE-116, and KEV status. It does not include affected CPEs, a complete version range, exploit indicators, or detailed vendor remediation text.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 deployments or client installations.
- Review Cobalt Strike vendor guidance for the fixed release or supported remediation.
- Prioritize remediation for operator workstations and shared security infrastructure.
- Restrict access to Cobalt Strike systems until remediation is verified.
- Monitor vendor and CISA KEV updates for revised remediation guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cobalt Strike versions across operator workstations and team infrastructure.
- Confirm whether any instance is running version 4.7.1.
- Check CISA KEV status for organizational remediation deadlines and tracking.
- Review logs and endpoint telemetry on operator systems for suspicious post-exploitation activity.
- Document remediation evidence, including version, date, owner, and validation result.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
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-116: 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-2022-42948 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.cobaltstrike.com/blog/CVE reference
- https://www.redpacketsecurity.com/helpsystems-cobalt-strike-code-execution-cve-2022-42948/CVE reference
- https://thesecmaster.com/how-to-fix-cve-2022-42948-a-critical-rce-vulnerability-in-cobalt-strike/CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-42948CVE 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 Encoding or Escaping of Output
Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.