CVE-2022-3062 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Simple File List WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.4.12. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly escape user-supplied parameters before outputting them within HTML attributes. This improper sanitization allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is reflected back to the user’s browser. When a victim clicks on a crafted URL or interacts with a manipulated input, the malicious script executes in the context of the victim’s browser session. This can lead to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or execution of arbitrary actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is low, with no impact on availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date. The plugin is used within WordPress environments to manage and display file lists, meaning that any WordPress site using a vulnerable version of this plugin is at risk. Since WordPress is widely used across Europe, this vulnerability has potential reach across many organizations and websites. However, exploitation requires tricking users into clicking malicious links or interacting with crafted inputs, which limits automated exploitation but still poses a significant risk especially for sites with high user interaction or administrative access.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-3062 depends largely on the deployment of the Simple File List plugin within their WordPress infrastructure. Organizations using this plugin on public-facing websites or intranets could be exposed to targeted phishing or social engineering attacks that leverage the reflected XSS to hijack user sessions or perform unauthorized actions. This could lead to data leakage, unauthorized access to user accounts, or defacement of websites. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, or government where WordPress is used for content management, the risk is amplified due to the sensitivity of data and regulatory requirements like GDPR. The reflected XSS could also be used as a stepping stone for further attacks, such as delivering malware or conducting credential theft. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact availability, the reputational damage and potential compliance violations could be significant. The requirement for user interaction means that the threat is more likely to be realized through targeted spear-phishing campaigns rather than widespread automated exploitation. Organizations with large user bases or those that rely on WordPress for critical communications should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk that warrants timely remediation.

To mitigate CVE-2022-3062, European organizations should first ensure that all instances of the Simple File List WordPress plugin are updated to version 4.4.12 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. If immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious input patterns commonly used in XSS attacks, particularly those targeting the plugin’s parameters. Additionally, organizations should enforce Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of any successful XSS attempts. User education is also critical; training users to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links can reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations should be conducted to identify outdated plugins and other weaknesses. Finally, administrators should review and harden WordPress user permissions to limit the damage potential if an account is compromised through XSS exploitation.