CVE-2022-2650 identifies a security vulnerability in the wger-project/wger application, specifically an improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts (CWE-307). This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.2 of the wger-project, an open-source fitness management software. The flaw allows an attacker to perform an unlimited number of authentication attempts without being blocked or rate-limited, thereby facilitating brute-force attacks against user credentials. Without effective throttling or lockout mechanisms, attackers can systematically guess passwords or session tokens, increasing the likelihood of unauthorized access. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction, making it easier to exploit remotely. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the absence of restrictions on authentication attempts inherently weakens the application's security posture. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user accounts and potentially the availability of the service if brute-force attempts lead to resource exhaustion or account lockouts. The lack of a patch link suggests that remediation may require manual implementation of rate-limiting controls or upgrading to a fixed version once available. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on November 24, 2022, and is tracked by CISA, indicating recognition by cybersecurity authorities.

For European organizations using the wger-project/wger software, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of unauthorized access through brute-force attacks. Compromise of user accounts could lead to exposure of sensitive personal fitness data, user credentials, and potentially administrative controls if privileged accounts are targeted. This could result in data breaches violating GDPR regulations, leading to legal and financial repercussions. Additionally, successful exploitation could disrupt service availability if attackers overwhelm authentication endpoints. Organizations relying on wger for client management or internal fitness tracking may face operational disruptions and reputational damage. The medium severity rating reflects the moderate ease of exploitation combined with the potential for significant impact on confidentiality and integrity. Since no authentication or user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability, the attack surface is broad, increasing risk especially for internet-facing deployments. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests that proactive mitigation can effectively prevent incidents.

European organizations should implement immediate mitigations to reduce risk from this vulnerability. These include deploying rate-limiting controls on authentication endpoints to restrict the number of login attempts per IP address or user account within a defined time window. Implementing account lockout policies after a threshold of failed attempts can further deter brute-force attacks. Monitoring authentication logs for unusual patterns indicative of brute-force activity is critical for early detection. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of wger-project/wger once a patched release is available. In the interim, applying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block excessive login attempts can provide additional protection. Enforcing strong password policies and encouraging multi-factor authentication (MFA) where supported will reduce the risk of credential compromise. Network segmentation and limiting exposure of the wger application to trusted networks can also minimize attack vectors. Finally, organizations should review and update incident response plans to address potential brute-force attack scenarios.