CVE-2022-41544 is a high-severity remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting GetSimple CMS version 3.3.16. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the 'edited_file' parameter in the admin/theme-edit.php script. An attacker with at least low-level privileges (PR:L) can exploit this vulnerability remotely (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N) to execute arbitrary code on the server hosting the CMS. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which relates to improper control of code generation, indicating that user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being executed. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. Although no public exploit is currently known in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially for websites using GetSimple CMS for content management. The lack of an official patch or vendor project information suggests that mitigation may require manual intervention or community-driven fixes. Organizations relying on this CMS should prioritize assessing exposure and applying mitigations promptly to prevent potential exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of this RCE vulnerability can be substantial. GetSimple CMS is often used by small to medium-sized enterprises, public sector entities, and non-profits due to its simplicity and lightweight nature. A successful exploit could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, deface websites, deploy malware, or use compromised servers as a foothold for further attacks within the network. This could lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, compromised web infrastructure could disrupt business operations and erode customer trust. Given the remote exploitability and no requirement for user interaction, the threat is particularly acute for externally facing web servers. European organizations with limited cybersecurity resources or those slow to patch may be disproportionately affected.

1. Immediate assessment of all web servers running GetSimple CMS version 3.3.16 or earlier to identify vulnerable instances. 2. Apply any available patches or updates from the GetSimple CMS community or maintainers; if no official patch exists, consider temporarily disabling the theme editing functionality or restricting access to admin/theme-edit.php via web server configuration (e.g., IP whitelisting or authentication). 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the 'edited_file' parameter if custom modifications are possible. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts to exploit this parameter. 5. Monitor web server logs for suspicious activity targeting the theme-edit.php endpoint. 6. Conduct regular backups of website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 7. Educate administrators on the risks of using outdated CMS versions and the importance of timely updates. 8. Consider migrating to more actively maintained CMS platforms if long-term support for GetSimple CMS is uncertain.