CVE-2022-31189 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the DSpace open source repository software, specifically its JSPUI component. DSpace is widely used for managing and providing durable access to digital resources in academic, research, and cultural institutions. The vulnerability arises from the generation of error messages that include detailed exception information and stack traces when an "Internal System Error" occurs within the JSPUI interface. This behavior corresponds to CWE-209, which involves the exposure of sensitive information through error messages. The detailed stack traces can reveal internal application logic, file paths, configuration details, or other sensitive data that attackers can leverage to craft more targeted and sophisticated attacks, such as identifying exploitable code paths or misconfigurations. The issue affects all DSpace versions from 4.0 up to but not including 6.4, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Mitigation involves upgrading to version 6.4 or later, or, for users unable to upgrade promptly, disabling the display of detailed error messages in the internal.jsp file to prevent leakage of sensitive information. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the vulnerability represents an information disclosure risk that could facilitate further compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors.

For European organizations, especially those in academia, research, libraries, and cultural heritage sectors that rely on DSpace for digital repository management, this vulnerability poses a risk of information leakage. Exposure of stack traces can aid attackers in reconnaissance, potentially leading to more severe attacks such as remote code execution or privilege escalation if other vulnerabilities exist. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity by revealing internal system details. Although the vulnerability does not directly allow unauthorized access or code execution, it lowers the barrier for attackers to identify weaknesses. Given the widespread use of DSpace in European universities and research institutions, exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive research data, intellectual property, or personal information stored within repositories. Additionally, reputational damage and compliance issues with data protection regulations such as GDPR could arise if sensitive information is exposed or if subsequent attacks lead to data breaches.

1. Upgrade affected DSpace installations to version 6.4 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. For environments where immediate upgrade is not feasible, modify the internal.jsp file to disable the display of detailed error messages and stack traces, ensuring that only generic error messages are shown to end users. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious requests that may trigger errors or attempt to exploit information disclosure. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews focusing on error handling and information leakage. 5. Monitor logs for repeated or unusual error generation that could indicate reconnaissance attempts. 6. Educate developers and administrators on secure error handling practices to avoid exposing sensitive information in production environments. 7. Restrict access to the JSPUI interface to trusted networks or authenticated users where possible to reduce exposure.