CVE-2022-44760 in Leap
Summary
by MITRE • 04/25/2025
Unsafe default file type filter policy in HCL Leap allows execution of unsafe JavaScript in deployed applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-44760 resides within HCL Leap, a platform designed for rapid application development and deployment. This security flaw manifests through an unsafe default file type filter policy that fails to properly validate or restrict the types of files that can be uploaded and executed within deployed applications. The issue specifically enables malicious actors to bypass standard security controls and execute arbitrary JavaScript code, fundamentally compromising the integrity and security posture of applications built on or deployed through this platform.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file handling subsystem of HCL Leap. When applications are deployed using the platform, the default configuration fails to implement proper file type filtering that would normally prevent execution of potentially dangerous file formats such as javascript files, html files containing scripts, or other malicious payloads. This default policy allows attackers to upload files with extensions that should be restricted, enabling them to inject and execute unauthorized code within the application environment. The vulnerability operates at the application level, specifically targeting the deployment and execution phases where file validation should occur before runtime execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-44760 extends beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can lead to full system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of deployed applications, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or complete system takeover. The default nature of the policy means that organizations deploying applications through HCL Leap without explicit configuration changes are inherently vulnerable, creating a widespread risk across deployments that rely on the platform's default security settings. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications where JavaScript execution can be leveraged to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Security controls that should have prevented this vulnerability align with established industry standards including CWE-20 and CWE-434, which address insecure input validation and unrestricted file upload vulnerabilities respectively. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage weak input validation to execute malicious code. Organizations using HCL Leap should implement immediate mitigations including explicit configuration of file type filters, regular security audits of deployed applications, and monitoring for unauthorized file uploads. The recommended approach involves disabling execution of JavaScript files in deployment environments, implementing strict file extension validation, and conducting comprehensive security testing of application deployments to ensure no unauthorized code execution paths exist. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level controls and application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.