ProxyNotShell RCE in Microsoft Exchange Server PowerShell
CVE-2022-41082 is a Microsoft Exchange Server remote code execution vulnerability that is part of the ProxyNotShell exploit chain affecting on-premises Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019. The issue is exploitable when Exchange PowerShell is accessible to the attacker and is commonly chained with CVE-2022-41040, an SSRF vulnerability, to reach the vulnerable backend path. Supporting content indicates the vulnerable behavior involves Exchange PowerShell type conversion and unsafe deserialization: Exchange’s custom SerializationTypeConverter ultimately passes attacker-controlled SerializationData into BinaryFormatter.Deserialize() after LanguagePrimitives.ConvertTo() processing. Public analysis of the bug notes that the original exploitation path abused deserialization of allowed types and a subsequent XamlReader.Parse(string) invocation to achieve code execution. Microsoft’s patch introduced additional validation around UnitySerializationHolder-based deserialization to block the known exploitation path. In operational reporting, successful exploitation has been associated with web shell deployment and follow-on intrusion activity.
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Impact, mitigation & remediation
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Impact
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Mitigation
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Remediation
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Exploits
3 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (4 hidden).
This repository is a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2022-41082 (OWASSRF), targeting Microsoft Exchange servers. It consists of three files: a README.md with detailed usage and background, a Python exploit script (poc.py), and a requirements.txt listing dependencies. The main exploit script, poc.py, automates the process of authenticating to the Exchange OWA endpoint, starting a local RPC server, and leveraging the OWASSRF vulnerability to execute arbitrary PowerShell commands on the target server. The attacker provides a command file containing the payload, which is base64-encoded and injected into the PowerShell session. The exploit can be used for a variety of post-exploitation actions, including establishing a reverse shell. The script requires valid credentials for a user with Remote PowerShell access and targets the Exchange server over HTTPS endpoints. The repository is structured as a standalone PoC and does not belong to a larger exploit framework.
This repository provides a working exploit for two Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities: CVE-2022-41082 (ProxyNotShell/OWASSRF, post-auth RCE) and CVE-2022-41076 (TabShell, privilege escalation via PowerShell sandbox escape). The main exploit is implemented in 'poc.py', a Python script that authenticates to the Exchange OWA endpoint using provided credentials, sets up a local HTTP server to relay PowerShell requests, and abuses the Exchange PowerShell endpoint to execute arbitrary commands on the server. The command to execute is read from a file (default: 'cmd'), which can be set to any desired payload (e.g., launching calc.exe). The exploit leverages the PowerShell Remoting Protocol (PSRP) via a bundled 'pypsrp' library. The included 'TabShell.ps1' PowerShell script is used for privilege escalation after initial access, allowing the attacker to break out of the restricted PowerShell sandbox. The repository is well-structured, with clear separation between the exploit logic, supporting library code, and payload scripts. It targets unpatched Exchange 2013, 2016, and 2019 servers as of November 2022, and requires valid credentials for exploitation. The attack vector is network-based, targeting the Exchange OWA and PowerShell endpoints over HTTP(S).
This repository provides a working exploit for two Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities: CVE-2022-41082 (ProxyNotShell/OWASSRF, a post-auth RCE) and CVE-2022-41076 (TabShell, a privilege escalation via PowerShell sandbox escape). The main exploit logic is in 'poc.py', which authenticates to the Exchange OWA endpoint using provided credentials, then abuses the PowerShell endpoint to execute arbitrary commands. The exploit sets up a local HTTP server to relay requests and uses the included 'pypsrp' library for PowerShell Remoting Protocol (PSRP) communication. The payload is customizable and can be any PowerShell command, with examples provided (calc.exe, mspaint.exe, ipconfig.exe). The 'TabShell.ps1' script demonstrates privilege escalation by breaking out of the restricted PowerShell sandbox after initial access is gained. The repository is structured with a main PoC script, a PowerShell privilege escalation script, a command file for payloads, and a full implementation of the pypsrp library for PSRP communication. The exploit is operational and can be used to achieve RCE and privilege escalation on vulnerable, unpatched Exchange servers with valid credentials.
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Recent activity
25 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
One of the two Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities in the ProxyNotShell exploit chain used for initial access against an unpatched Exchange server.
An on-premises Microsoft Exchange vulnerability, part of the OWASSRF exploit chain, used by Storm-1175 to achieve remote code execution after initial access.
A Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability that is part of the ProxyNotShell exploit chain, involving SSRF abuse that can lead to remote code execution as SYSTEM.
A remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange, exploited by ransomware groups for initial access.
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Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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