CVE-2022-40932 is a high-severity arbitrary file upload vulnerability identified in the Zoo Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the "gallery" file of the "Gallery" module within the system's backend management interface. Specifically, the flaw allows an authenticated user with high privileges to upload arbitrary files through the picture upload functionality. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-434, which pertains to improper restrictions on file uploads. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable an attacker to upload malicious files, such as web shells or scripts, leading to full compromise of the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.2, reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, requirement for high privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for exploitation remains significant due to the nature of arbitrary file upload vulnerabilities. The lack of vendor or product-specific information limits precise identification of affected deployments, but the vulnerability is clearly tied to the Zoo Management System v1.0's backend gallery upload feature.

For European organizations using the Zoo Management System v1.0, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized system access, data theft, defacement, or disruption of zoo management operations, potentially affecting animal welfare, visitor safety, and operational continuity. Confidential data managed by the system, such as animal records, staff information, and operational schedules, could be exposed or altered. Given the high integrity and availability impact, attackers might deploy ransomware or other destructive payloads, causing significant operational downtime. The requirement for high privileges to exploit the vulnerability somewhat limits exposure to insider threats or compromised administrative accounts. However, if administrative credentials are leaked or phished, attackers could leverage this flaw to escalate their control. European zoos and related wildlife management organizations that rely on this system for critical backend operations are at risk of operational disruption and reputational damage.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately restrict access to the backend management system to trusted administrators only, ideally via VPN or zero-trust network access solutions. Implement strict file upload validation controls, including whitelisting allowed file types, enforcing file size limits, and scanning uploads for malicious content. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious upload attempts. Regularly audit and rotate administrative credentials to reduce the risk of privilege abuse. Since no official patches are currently available, consider deploying compensating controls such as disabling the gallery upload feature if not essential or isolating the affected module in a segmented network zone. Monitoring logs for unusual upload activity and conducting penetration testing focused on file upload vectors can help detect exploitation attempts early. Organizations should also engage with the vendor or community maintaining the Zoo Management System for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability.