CVE-2020-22818 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in MKCMS version 6.2, specifically affecting the /ucenter/reg.php endpoint via the 'name' parameter. SQL injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious SQL statements into input fields that are improperly sanitized, enabling unauthorized access to or manipulation of the backend database. In this case, the 'name' parameter in the registration script does not properly validate or sanitize user input, allowing an attacker to craft input that can alter the intended SQL query logic. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating critical severity with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality (C:H), integrity (I:H), and availability (A:H). Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to full database compromise, data leakage, data modification, or denial of service. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported, the high severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat. The lack of vendor or product information beyond MKCMS 6.2 limits detailed attribution, but MKCMS is a content management system used primarily in Chinese-speaking markets, though it may have deployments in other regions. The absence of official patches or mitigation links suggests that organizations using this software must take immediate action to protect their systems.

For European organizations using MKCMS 6.2, this vulnerability poses a severe risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including user credentials, personal information, or business-critical content stored in the database. Data integrity could be compromised by unauthorized modification or deletion of records, potentially disrupting business operations or damaging reputation. Availability impacts could arise from database corruption or denial-of-service conditions triggered by malicious queries. Given the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, attackers can remotely exploit it at scale, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. European organizations in sectors such as media, publishing, education, or any domain relying on MKCMS for content management are particularly at risk. Additionally, exposure of personal data could lead to violations of GDPR, resulting in legal and financial penalties. The lack of known exploits in the wild does not diminish the urgency, as public disclosure and high CVSS score may prompt attackers to develop exploits rapidly.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the /ucenter/reg.php endpoint via network controls such as web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'name' parameter. 2. Implement input validation and sanitization on all user inputs, especially the 'name' parameter, using parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent injection. 3. If possible, upgrade to a patched version of MKCMS once available; in the absence of official patches, consider applying community or vendor-provided workarounds. 4. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focused on SQL injection vulnerabilities across the application. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious database queries or repeated access attempts to the vulnerable endpoint. 6. Limit database user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Educate development and security teams about secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities. 8. Consider isolating or decommissioning MKCMS installations if they cannot be secured promptly.