CVE-2022-45062: n/a in n/a
In Xfce xfce4-settings before 4.16.4 and 4.17.x before 4.17.1, there is an argument injection vulnerability in xfce4-mime-helper.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2022-45062 is a critical argument injection vulnerability found in the Xfce desktop environment's xfce4-mime-helper component, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.16.4 and 4.17.x prior to 4.17.1. Xfce is a popular lightweight desktop environment used primarily on Linux-based systems. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of command-line arguments within xfce4-mime-helper, which is responsible for managing MIME types and launching associated applications. An attacker can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious arguments that are executed without proper sanitization or validation, leading to arbitrary command execution. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with an attack vector that is network accessible (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-88 (Argument Injection or Modification), indicating that the root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in commands. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation combined with the critical impact makes this a significant threat to systems running vulnerable versions of Xfce. Since xfce4-mime-helper is a core utility for launching applications based on MIME types, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-45062 can be substantial, especially those relying on Linux-based workstations or servers running the Xfce desktop environment. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands without authentication or user interaction, which could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, system manipulation, or disruption of services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, research, and critical infrastructure that utilize Xfce for its lightweight and efficient desktop environment may face risks of espionage, data breaches, or operational downtime. The broad impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that sensitive information could be exposed or altered, and critical systems could be rendered inoperative. Additionally, since Xfce is often used in embedded systems or specialized Linux distributions, the vulnerability could affect a wide range of devices beyond traditional desktops, increasing the attack surface. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests that proactive patching and mitigation are crucial to prevent potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2022-45062, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Immediately update xfce4-settings to version 4.16.4 or later, or 4.17.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched. If official updates are not yet available in their distribution, consider applying vendor-provided patches or backporting fixes. 2) Restrict network access to systems running vulnerable Xfce versions, especially limiting exposure of services that could trigger the vulnerable mime-helper functionality. 3) Employ application whitelisting and strict execution policies to prevent unauthorized command execution. 4) Monitor system logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected invocations of xfce4-mime-helper. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of argument injection vulnerabilities and encourage prompt application of security updates. 6) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider isolating affected systems or using containerization to limit potential damage. 7) Collaborate with Linux distribution maintainers to ensure timely security updates and verify the integrity of installed packages.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Italy, Spain
CVE-2022-45062: n/a in n/a
Description
In Xfce xfce4-settings before 4.16.4 and 4.17.x before 4.17.1, there is an argument injection vulnerability in xfce4-mime-helper.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2022-45062 is a critical argument injection vulnerability found in the Xfce desktop environment's xfce4-mime-helper component, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.16.4 and 4.17.x prior to 4.17.1. Xfce is a popular lightweight desktop environment used primarily on Linux-based systems. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of command-line arguments within xfce4-mime-helper, which is responsible for managing MIME types and launching associated applications. An attacker can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious arguments that are executed without proper sanitization or validation, leading to arbitrary command execution. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with an attack vector that is network accessible (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-88 (Argument Injection or Modification), indicating that the root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in commands. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation combined with the critical impact makes this a significant threat to systems running vulnerable versions of Xfce. Since xfce4-mime-helper is a core utility for launching applications based on MIME types, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-45062 can be substantial, especially those relying on Linux-based workstations or servers running the Xfce desktop environment. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands without authentication or user interaction, which could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, system manipulation, or disruption of services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, research, and critical infrastructure that utilize Xfce for its lightweight and efficient desktop environment may face risks of espionage, data breaches, or operational downtime. The broad impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that sensitive information could be exposed or altered, and critical systems could be rendered inoperative. Additionally, since Xfce is often used in embedded systems or specialized Linux distributions, the vulnerability could affect a wide range of devices beyond traditional desktops, increasing the attack surface. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests that proactive patching and mitigation are crucial to prevent potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2022-45062, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Immediately update xfce4-settings to version 4.16.4 or later, or 4.17.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched. If official updates are not yet available in their distribution, consider applying vendor-provided patches or backporting fixes. 2) Restrict network access to systems running vulnerable Xfce versions, especially limiting exposure of services that could trigger the vulnerable mime-helper functionality. 3) Employ application whitelisting and strict execution policies to prevent unauthorized command execution. 4) Monitor system logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected invocations of xfce4-mime-helper. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of argument injection vulnerabilities and encourage prompt application of security updates. 6) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider isolating affected systems or using containerization to limit potential damage. 7) Collaborate with Linux distribution maintainers to ensure timely security updates and verify the integrity of installed packages.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- mitre
- Date Reserved
- 2022-11-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Cisa Enriched
- true
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 682d9839c4522896dcbeccbb
Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:13 AM
Last enriched: 7/2/2025, 2:12:33 AM
Last updated: 7/25/2025, 12:19:29 PM
Views: 8
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