CVE-2022-45475 is a security vulnerability identified in Tiny File Manager version 2.4.8, a lightweight web-based file management application commonly used for managing files on web servers. The vulnerability stems from broken access control mechanisms within the application, which allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to access internal files of the application. Specifically, the flaw permits attackers to bypass intended access restrictions, enabling them to view sensitive files that should otherwise be protected. Although the CVSS score is 6.5 (medium severity), the vulnerability's vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require some user interaction (UI:R), and impacts confidentiality (C:H) without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating a failure to properly restrict access to resources. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no official patches have been linked or released. The vulnerability could be exploited by sending crafted requests to the Tiny File Manager instance, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other internal data that could facilitate further attacks or information leakage. The lack of authentication requirement significantly lowers the barrier for exploitation, making any publicly accessible Tiny File Manager 2.4.8 instance a potential target for reconnaissance or data theft.

For European organizations, the exposure of internal files through this vulnerability can lead to significant confidentiality breaches. Sensitive data such as configuration files, user credentials, or private documents could be accessed by unauthorized parties. This could result in data leaks, compliance violations (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential escalation into more severe attacks if attackers leverage exposed information to gain deeper access. Organizations using Tiny File Manager in public-facing environments or within intranets without proper network segmentation are particularly at risk. The medium CVSS score reflects that while the vulnerability does not directly allow command execution or system compromise, the confidentiality impact is high, and the ease of exploitation is relatively straightforward due to no authentication requirements. The requirement for user interaction (UI:R) may indicate that some form of user action, such as clicking a malicious link, is needed, which slightly reduces the risk but does not eliminate it. The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers ranging from opportunistic hackers to more targeted threat actors aiming to gather intelligence or prepare for further attacks.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should take immediate practical steps to mitigate risk. First, restrict access to Tiny File Manager instances by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting, VPN access, or firewall rules to limit exposure to trusted users only. Second, consider removing or disabling Tiny File Manager if it is not essential, or replace it with more secure file management solutions that enforce robust access controls. Third, implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting known vulnerable endpoints or patterns associated with this vulnerability. Fourth, conduct thorough audits of existing Tiny File Manager deployments to identify and isolate vulnerable versions. Fifth, monitor logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to access internal files. Finally, educate users about the risks of interacting with unsolicited links or content that could trigger exploitation attempts, reducing the impact of the required user interaction vector.