CVE-2022-44759 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which pertains to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This specific vulnerability affects HCL Software's HCL Leap product versions 9.0 through 9.3. The root cause lies in the improper sanitization of SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files within the HCL Leap platform. SVG files, which are XML-based vector image formats, can contain embedded scripts. If these scripts are not properly sanitized, an attacker can inject malicious client-side code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when the SVG is rendered in a deployed application. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, cookie theft, or manipulation of the web application's user interface. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction beyond viewing the malicious SVG content, which may be embedded or uploaded within applications built on HCL Leap. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in a platform used for rapid application development and deployment means that any application leveraging SVG content could be at risk. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability was reserved in November 2022 and publicly disclosed in April 2025, indicating a significant window during which the flaw existed potentially unnoticed. Given the nature of XSS, the impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data, with potential secondary impacts on availability if exploited to perform further attacks such as phishing or malware delivery.

For European organizations utilizing HCL Leap versions 9.0 to 9.3, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to web applications that incorporate SVG content. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user information, including session tokens and personal data, undermining GDPR compliance and potentially resulting in regulatory penalties. The integrity of web applications could be compromised, allowing attackers to manipulate displayed content or perform actions on behalf of users. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high reliance on web-based applications, such as finance, healthcare, and public administration. Additionally, the exploitation of this vulnerability could erode user trust and damage organizational reputation. Since HCL Leap is a low-code platform used to accelerate application development, many organizations may have deployed custom applications without extensive security vetting, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits suggests that proactive mitigation can prevent exploitation, but the medium severity rating indicates that the vulnerability should not be underestimated, especially in environments with high-value targets or sensitive data.

1. Immediate review and restriction of SVG file uploads or usage within HCL Leap applications until a vendor patch is available. 2. Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict sources of executable scripts, thereby reducing the impact of injected scripts. 3. Sanitize and validate all SVG content on the server side using robust libraries that specifically handle SVG sanitization to remove potentially malicious scripts or elements. 4. Conduct thorough security testing of all deployed applications built on HCL Leap, focusing on input validation and output encoding, especially for any user-uploaded or third-party SVG content. 5. Monitor web application logs and user reports for unusual activity that may indicate attempted exploitation. 6. Engage with HCL Software support channels to obtain updates on patches or official remediation guidance. 7. Educate developers and administrators about the risks of XSS via SVG and best practices for secure handling of vector graphics in web applications. 8. Consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules tailored to detect and block malicious SVG payloads or suspicious script execution patterns.