CVE-2022-40487 in ProcessWire
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2022
ProcessWire v3.0.200 was discovered to contain multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities via the Search Users and Search Pages function. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via injection of a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
ProcessWire version 3.0.200 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within its Search Users and Search Pages functionality that represent a significant security risk to web applications utilizing this content management framework. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the search parameter handling processes, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically affects the user interface components responsible for displaying search results, where unescaped user-supplied input is directly rendered without proper sanitization. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-79 which categorizes insecure direct object references and improper input handling leading to XSS attacks. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user data, or redirect victims to malicious websites through the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-40487 extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user sessions within ProcessWire applications. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts through the search functions, they can access cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive data that would normally be protected by the browser's security model. This vulnerability particularly affects administrative interfaces where privileged users perform searches, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. The attack surface is broad as any user with access to the search functionality can potentially exploit this vulnerability, including both regular users and administrators who may inadvertently trigger the malicious payloads during routine search operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-40487 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the affected search functions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to ProcessWire version 3.0.201 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. The implementation of proper parameterized queries and sanitization routines for all user-supplied input within search parameters should be enforced across all web applications using ProcessWire. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within other application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security tactics, specifically focusing on the execution and persistence phases where XSS vulnerabilities can enable further compromise of affected systems.