CVE-2022-45331 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability identified in AeroCMS version 0.0.1, specifically exploitable via the 'p_id' parameter in the 'post.php' script. SQL Injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the database query logic. In this case, the vulnerability permits an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the 'p_id' parameter without requiring any user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the vulnerability's characteristics: network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high impact on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). Exploiting this flaw enables attackers to retrieve sensitive database information, potentially including user credentials, personal data, or configuration details, depending on the database contents. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild and no patches have been published, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to its ease of exploitation and the critical confidentiality impact. AeroCMS appears to be a content management system, but specific vendor or product details are not provided, which complicates targeted mitigation and detection efforts. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on November 22, 2022, with the reservation date on November 14, 2022, and is tracked under CWE-89, a well-understood and common injection weakness.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2022-45331 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored within AeroCMS databases. This may include personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, or internal business information, resulting in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruption. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, direct data manipulation or service outages are less likely; however, the confidentiality breach alone is critical. Organizations using AeroCMS for public-facing websites or internal portals are at risk of data leakage, which could facilitate further attacks such as phishing or credential stuffing. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements increases the threat surface, enabling remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability at scale. European sectors with high regulatory scrutiny, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face amplified consequences if sensitive personal or classified data is exposed. Additionally, the absence of patches or vendor guidance may delay remediation, prolonging exposure.

Given the absence of official patches, European organizations should implement immediate compensating controls. First, conduct a thorough inventory to identify any AeroCMS deployments and isolate affected instances. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the 'p_id' parameter in 'post.php'. Utilize parameterized queries or prepared statements in the application code if source code access is available, to sanitize inputs properly. Restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary to limit data exposure in case of exploitation. Monitor web server and database logs for unusual query patterns or repeated access attempts to 'post.php'. If possible, disable or restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint until a patch or vendor guidance is available. Regularly back up databases and ensure backups are secure and tested for restoration. Engage with AeroCMS developers or community to track patch releases or updates addressing this vulnerability. Finally, raise awareness among security teams about this specific threat to enhance detection and response capabilities.