CVE-2022-0723 in Microweber
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2022
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Reflected in GitHub repository microweber/microweber prior to 1.2.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0723 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the Microweber content management system prior to version 1.2.11. This issue resides in the GitHub repository microweber/microweber and demonstrates a classic web application security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of user input in HTTP request parameters, where improperly sanitized data is directly reflected back to users without adequate output encoding or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed by a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The flaw typically manifests in parameters that are processed server-side and then returned to the client without appropriate sanitization, creating an opening for script execution within the victim's browsing context.
This vulnerability has significant operational impact within the Microweber ecosystem, as it can be exploited by attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be delivered through a crafted URL that the victim clicks, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users are tricked into visiting compromised web pages. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 1.2.11, indicating that a substantial portion of the user base was potentially exposed to this risk.
The security implications extend beyond simple script execution, as reflected XSS vulnerabilities can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability maps directly to the Common Weakness Enumeration's "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')" weakness category. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, and can be leveraged for credential theft through session cookie manipulation. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement patch management procedures and consider implementing content security policies as additional defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0723 involve upgrading to Microweber version 1.2.11 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement proper parameter validation, employ proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in future releases.