CVE-2022-45038 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WBCE CMS version 1.5.4, specifically within the /admin/settings/save.php endpoint. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization or output encoding of user-supplied data in the Website Footer field, which allows an attacker with at least limited privileges (PR:L) to inject malicious scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability requires user interaction (UI:R), meaning that a victim must visit a crafted page or interact with a manipulated interface to trigger the malicious payload. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), enabling exploitation remotely over the internet. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or manipulate displayed content. However, it does not affect availability. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, such as other users or administrative functions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, categorizing it as a medium severity issue. No public exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor advisories are currently available. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood web application security flaw related to improper neutralization of input during web page generation.

For European organizations using WBCE CMS version 1.5.4, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to administrative users and potentially to site visitors if the malicious payload is crafted to execute in their browsers. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as session tokens or personal data, unauthorized actions performed under the guise of legitimate users, and defacement or manipulation of website content. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches under GDPR regulations, and cause operational disruptions in web services. Given that WBCE CMS is a niche content management system, the overall impact is limited to organizations that specifically deploy this software, which may include small to medium enterprises, non-profits, or public sector entities relying on open-source CMS solutions. The vulnerability’s requirement for some level of privilege and user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially against European entities with public-facing WBCE CMS installations.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the /admin/settings/save.php interface to trusted administrators only, ideally via IP whitelisting or VPN access to reduce exposure. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the Website Footer field to neutralize any injected scripts or HTML. If source code modification is feasible, sanitize inputs using established libraries or frameworks that handle XSS prevention. 3. Monitor web server logs and application logs for suspicious input patterns or unusual administrative activity that could indicate attempted exploitation. 4. Educate administrators about the risks of XSS and the importance of cautious input handling, especially when updating website footer content. 5. If possible, isolate the CMS administrative interface from the public internet or deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting common XSS payloads to provide an additional layer of defense. 6. Stay alert for official patches or updates from the WBCE CMS community or maintainers and apply them promptly once available. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities to detect similar issues proactively.