CVE-2022-42450 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects HCL Domino Volt versions 1.0 through 1.0.5. The root cause lies in the improper sanitization of SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files processed by the application. Specifically, maliciously crafted SVG files can contain embedded client-side scripts that, when rendered by the vulnerable application, execute in the context of the victim's browser. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary scripts into web pages generated by Domino Volt applications, potentially leading to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or manipulation of displayed content. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.6, reflecting a medium severity level. The vector indicates the attack can be launched remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent (C:L, I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2022 and published in April 2025, indicating a relatively recent disclosure. Given the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation requires a user to interact with a malicious SVG file within the context of a deployed Domino Volt application, which may be embedded in enterprise workflows or portals. The vulnerability could be leveraged to target users with elevated privileges or sensitive access within affected organizations, especially if SVG uploads or rendering are part of business processes.

For European organizations using HCL Domino Volt, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Since Domino Volt is a low-code application development platform often used to build internal business applications, the presence of this XSS flaw could allow attackers to execute scripts that steal session tokens, manipulate form data, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This can lead to unauthorized data access or modification, potentially affecting sensitive business processes. The requirement for user interaction and some level of privileges limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where SVG files are uploaded or shared among users. The absence of known exploits suggests limited active targeting so far, but the medium severity and ease of remote exploitation mean organizations should act promptly. The impact is more pronounced in sectors relying heavily on custom internal applications, such as finance, manufacturing, and government agencies, where data integrity and confidentiality are critical. Additionally, compromised user sessions could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing overall risk. The vulnerability does not affect availability, so denial-of-service is not a concern here.

Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all SVG files before they are uploaded or rendered within Domino Volt applications. This includes removing or neutralizing any embedded scripts or event handlers within SVG content. Restrict SVG file uploads to trusted users or disable SVG uploads entirely if not required by business processes. Apply the principle of least privilege to user roles within Domino Volt to minimize the number of users with privileges required to exploit this vulnerability. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted SVG files or links, emphasizing caution with files received via email or external sources. Monitor application logs and user activity for unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts, such as unexpected script execution or anomalous session activity. Stay updated with HCL Software advisories and apply patches or updates promptly once they become available, as no official patch links are currently provided. Consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers in web applications to restrict the execution of inline scripts or scripts from untrusted sources, mitigating the impact of XSS attacks. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application input handling and SVG processing to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.