CVE-2022-45548 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in AyaCMS version 3.1.2, characterized as an Arbitrary File Upload flaw (CWE-434). This vulnerability allows an attacker with at least low-level privileges (PR:L) and no user interaction (UI:N) to upload arbitrary files to the server hosting the CMS over a network (AV:N). The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation of this flaw can lead to complete system compromise, including remote code execution, data theft, or denial of service. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, which increases its exploitability, but it does require some level of authentication, limiting exposure to authenticated users or insiders. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. No public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the published date (December 6, 2022), and no official patches or vendor advisories are currently available. The lack of vendor and product information complicates targeted mitigation but the vulnerability is clearly tied to AyaCMS, a content management system. Arbitrary file upload vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient validation of uploaded files, allowing attackers to upload malicious scripts or executables that can be triggered to execute arbitrary code on the server.

For European organizations using AyaCMS 3.1.2, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, defacement of websites, or full server compromise, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational assets. Given the nature of CMS platforms, which often serve as public-facing portals or intranet hubs, exploitation could disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR. The requirement for low-level privileges means insider threats or compromised user accounts could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current targeting, but the high CVSS score and ease of exploitation once authenticated make it a critical concern for organizations relying on AyaCMS. The impact is particularly severe for sectors with high-value data or critical infrastructure, including government, finance, and healthcare institutions in Europe.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of AyaCMS to identify any instances of version 3.1.2. Given the absence of official patches, administrators should implement compensating controls such as restricting file upload functionality to trusted users only and enforcing strict file type validation and size limits at the application and web server levels. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts can reduce risk. Monitoring server logs for unusual upload activity and scanning uploaded files for malware is essential. Additionally, enforcing the principle of least privilege for user accounts can limit exploitation potential. Organizations should also consider isolating AyaCMS instances in segmented network zones to contain potential breaches. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to prepare for potential exploitation. Finally, organizations should stay alert for vendor updates or community patches addressing this vulnerability.