CVE-2022-45113 is a vulnerability identified in multiple versions of Six Apart Ltd.'s Movable Type content management system (CMS), including Movable Type 7 r.5301 and earlier, Movable Type Advanced 7 r.5301 and earlier, Movable Type 6.8.7 and earlier, Movable Type Advanced 6.8.7 and earlier, Movable Type Premium 1.53 and earlier, and Movable Type Premium Advanced 1.53 and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of the syntactic correctness of input parameters, specifically related to URL handling. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a specially formed URL that directs users to the Reset Password page with manipulated parameters. This can facilitate phishing attacks by misleading users into submitting credentials or sensitive information to attacker-controlled endpoints under the guise of legitimate password reset functionality. The vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability but impacts integrity by enabling attackers to manipulate user interactions and potentially capture sensitive data through social engineering. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), with no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and no availability impact (A:N). No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. The root cause is classified under CWE-20, indicating improper input validation, which is a common source of security issues in web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and secure URL parameter handling in web-based CMS platforms to prevent phishing and related social engineering attacks.

For European organizations using affected versions of Movable Type CMS, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily through phishing attacks that exploit the password reset functionality. Organizations relying on Movable Type for corporate blogs, intranet portals, or public-facing websites could see an increase in credential theft attempts, leading to unauthorized access if users are deceived. While the vulnerability does not allow direct system compromise or data leakage, the phishing vector can be leveraged to harvest user credentials or conduct further social engineering campaigns. This is particularly impactful for organizations with large user bases or those handling sensitive information through their CMS. The integrity of user authentication processes is undermined, potentially leading to account takeovers. Given the medium severity and requirement for user interaction, the threat is more pronounced in environments where users are less trained in phishing awareness. Additionally, organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR) may face compliance risks if phishing leads to data breaches. The lack of known exploits suggests limited active targeting, but the ease of exploitation and low complexity mean attackers could develop exploits rapidly, especially in targeted campaigns against European entities.

1. Immediate upgrade to the latest patched versions of Movable Type is the most effective mitigation, even though no patch links are provided here, organizations should consult Six Apart Ltd.'s official channels for updates. 2. Implement strict URL parameter validation and sanitization on the Reset Password page to ensure only syntactically correct and expected inputs are accepted. 3. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of credential theft resulting from phishing. 4. Enhance user awareness training focused on recognizing phishing attempts, especially those involving password reset links. 5. Monitor web server logs for unusual or malformed URL requests targeting password reset endpoints to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious URL patterns that could exploit this vulnerability. 7. Consider implementing CAPTCHA or other interaction verification mechanisms on the password reset page to limit automated exploitation. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on input validation and authentication workflows within the CMS environment. 9. Segregate CMS administrative interfaces from public-facing components where feasible to limit exposure. 10. Maintain an incident response plan that includes phishing attack scenarios to enable rapid containment and remediation.