CVE-2022-42948
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitCobalt Strike 4.7.1 fails to properly escape HTML tags when they are displayed on Swing components.
Published Mar 24, 2023 · Updated Nov 3, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2022-42948 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Cobalt Strike (Helpsystems).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 30, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 2.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
2.7%
Higher than 85.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2022-42948 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 30, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 30, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 30, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 30, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
1 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt StrikeHelpsystems | 4.7.1 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 24, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 30, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 30, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 30, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 30, 2023
Last updated
Nov 3, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-116 Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output
References
- advisoryhttps://thesecmaster.com/how-to-fix-cve-2022-42948-a-critical-rce-vulnerability-in-cobalt-strike/
- advisoryhttps://www.cobaltstrike.com/blog/
- advisoryhttps://www.redpacketsecurity.com/helpsystems-cobalt-strike-code-execution-cve-2022-42948/
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- otherhttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-42948
FAQ
Common Questions.
Cobalt Strike 4.7.1 fails to properly escape HTML tags when they are displayed on Swing components.
Affected: Cobalt Strike (Helpsystems) versions 4.7.1. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 30, 2023.
Yes. It was added on Mar 30, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 20, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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