CVE-2022-45091 in Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Group Arge Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web allows Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
This issue affects Smartpower Web: before 23.01.01.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Group Arge Energy and Control Systems Smartpower Web application, specifically in the web page generation functionality where input validation and sanitization processes fail to properly neutralize malicious user inputs. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS attack vector that exploits improper handling of user-supplied data during the dynamic generation of web content. This issue affects all versions of the Smartpower Web application prior to version 23.01.01, indicating a long-standing weakness in the input processing pipeline that has remained unaddressed for an extended period.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the web application's rendering engine. When user-provided data is directly incorporated into dynamically generated web pages without proper escaping or encoding, malicious scripts can be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a failure to properly neutralize input during web page generation. The attack typically involves injecting malicious javascript code through form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable input points that are then rendered back to users without appropriate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, modify web page content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In industrial control environments like those managed by Smartpower Web, this vulnerability could potentially compromise critical infrastructure monitoring systems, leading to operational disruptions or unauthorized access to control mechanisms. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where users may have elevated privileges or where the application handles sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 23.01.01 or later, which presumably contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation, employ proper output encoding techniques when rendering user data, and utilize Content Security Policies to limit script execution. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks, as XSS vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors in broader attack chains. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments, web application firewalls, and user education on recognizing potential XSS attack vectors. System administrators should also consider implementing strict input validation policies and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Smartpower Web application suite.