CVE-2022-42975 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Phoenix framework versions prior to 1.6.14. The issue resides in the socket/transport.ex component, where the handling of the check_origin configuration allows improper wildcarding. This misconfiguration can lead to an authorization bypass, enabling an attacker to perform actions that should be restricted. Specifically, the vulnerability is classified under CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization), indicating that the system fails to properly enforce access control policies. Notably, Phoenix LiveView applications are not affected by default due to the presence of a LiveView CSRF token, which provides an additional layer of protection against such attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact is primarily on integrity, allowing unauthorized modification or execution of actions within the affected Phoenix socket transport layer. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no vendor patches or mitigation links were provided in the data, though it is expected that upgrading to Phoenix 1.6.14 or later would resolve the issue.

For European organizations using the Phoenix framework in their web applications, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity of their systems. Attackers exploiting this flaw could bypass origin checks, potentially allowing unauthorized commands or data manipulation through WebSocket connections. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive application functions, data corruption, or manipulation of real-time communication channels. Given Phoenix's popularity in building scalable web applications, especially in startups and tech companies across Europe, the risk is non-trivial. The absence of required authentication or user interaction for exploitation increases the threat level. Organizations handling sensitive data or critical infrastructure could face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data integrity is compromised, and operational disruptions. However, LiveView applications have a mitigating factor by default, reducing the risk in those deployments.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Phoenix framework instances to version 1.6.14 or later where this vulnerability is addressed. In the absence of immediate upgrade capability, organizations should review and tighten their check_origin configurations to avoid wildcard usage and enforce strict origin validation policies. Implementing additional application-layer controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) that can monitor and block suspicious WebSocket traffic may provide temporary protection. For LiveView applications, ensure that CSRF tokens are correctly implemented and validated. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on WebSocket authorization logic. Monitoring network traffic for anomalous WebSocket connection attempts and maintaining an incident response plan tailored to WebSocket-related attacks will enhance preparedness. Finally, stay updated with vendor advisories and community patches related to Phoenix framework vulnerabilities.