CVE-2022-45016 in WBCE
Summary
by MITRE • 11/21/2022
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Search Settings module of WBCE CMS v1.5.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the Footer field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45016 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Search Settings module of WBCE CMS version 1.5.4. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within the Footer field configuration, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize data before rendering it within the web interface. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the Footer field's lack of proper sanitization, potentially executing scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This classification indicates that the vulnerability occurs due to improper validation of user-supplied data, where the application fails to properly encode or escape output before rendering it to end users. The flaw operates within the context of web application security frameworks where input validation should occur at multiple layers, including both server-side and client-side processing. The Search Settings module in WBCE CMS appears to trust user input without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious scripts to persist in the database and execute when legitimate users access the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. When users with administrative privileges access the affected module, the attack surface expands significantly as attackers can manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, malicious scripts can affect all users who encounter the compromised content, creating a widespread security risk for organizations relying on this CMS version. This vulnerability particularly impacts web applications that do not implement proper content security policies or input sanitization measures, making it a significant concern for web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45016 should prioritize immediate patching of the WBCE CMS to version 1.5.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or rendered. The implementation of content security policies can provide additional protection layers, preventing unauthorized script execution even if input validation fails. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security training for developers can prevent similar issues in custom application development. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security code reviews to maintain defense-in-depth strategies against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.