What is CVE-2022-23511?

CVE-2022-23511 is a high-severity security vulnerability in github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (go), affecting versions < 1.247355.0. It is fixed in 1.247355.0.

How severe is CVE-2022-23511?

CVE-2022-23511 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Which versions of github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent are affected by CVE-2022-23511?

github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (go) versions < 1.247355.0 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2022-23511?

Yes. CVE-2022-23511 is fixed in 1.247355.0. Upgrade to this version or later.

Is CVE-2022-23511 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

What actually determines whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

How do I fix CVE-2022-23511?

Upgrade github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent to 1.247355.0 or later.

CVE-2022-23511

Q: How severe is CVE-2022-23511?

CVE-2022-23511 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Q: Which versions of github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent are affected by CVE-2022-23511?

github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (go) versions < 1.247355.0 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2022-23511?

Yes. CVE-2022-23511 is fixed in 1.247355.0. Upgrade to this version or later.

Q: Is CVE-2022-23511 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-23511?

Upgrade github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent to 1.247355.0 or later.

Summary

Amazon CloudWatch Agent for Windows has Privilege Escalation Vector

Workarounds

There is no recommended work around. Affected users must update the installed version of the CloudWatch Agent to address this issue.

References

https://github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent/commit/6119858864c317ff26f41f576c169148d1250837

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, contact AWS/Amazon Security via their vulnerability reporting page or directly via email to [email protected]. Please do not create a public GitHub issue.

Impact

A privilege escalation issue exists within the Amazon CloudWatch Agent for Windows in versions up to and including v1.247354. When users trigger a repair of the Agent, a pop-up window opens with SYSTEM permissions. Users with administrative access to affected hosts may use this to create a new command prompt as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

To trigger this issue, the third party must be able to access the affected host and elevate their privileges such that they’re able to trigger the agent repair process. They must also be able to install the tools required to trigger the issue.

This issue does not affect the CloudWatch Agent for macOS or Linux.

CVE-2022-23511 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (1.247355.0); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Affected versions

github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (< 1.247355.0)

Security releases

github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent → 1.247355.0 (go)

Kodem intelligence

Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.

Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.

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Remediation advice

Maintainers recommend that Agent users upgrade to the latest available version of the CloudWatch Agent to address this issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-23511? CVE-2022-23511 is a high-severity security vulnerability in github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (go), affecting versions < 1.247355.0. It is fixed in 1.247355.0.
How severe is CVE-2022-23511? CVE-2022-23511 has a CVSS score of 7.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
Which versions of github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent are affected by CVE-2022-23511? github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent (go) versions < 1.247355.0 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2022-23511? Yes. CVE-2022-23511 is fixed in 1.247355.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
Is CVE-2022-23511 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
What actually determines whether CVE-2022-23511 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
How do I fix CVE-2022-23511? Upgrade github.com/aws/amazon-cloudwatch-agent to 1.247355.0 or later.