CVE-2022-45845 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-502, which pertains to the deserialization of untrusted data. This vulnerability affects the Nextend Smart Slider 3 plugin, specifically versions up to and including 3.5.1.9. Deserialization vulnerabilities occur when an application deserializes data from untrusted sources without sufficient validation, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the deserialization process to execute malicious code or alter application behavior. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with low privileges (PR:L) to send specially crafted data over the network (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N) to impact the integrity of the application. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity and no user interaction required, but it does require some level of privileges, which limits exploitation to authenticated or partially privileged users. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability but can compromise the integrity of the application, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate data or application logic. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is particularly relevant to websites using the Smart Slider 3 plugin, which is a popular WordPress plugin used to create responsive sliders and carousels on websites. The deserialization flaw could be exploited to inject malicious payloads that alter the slider's behavior or potentially escalate to further attacks within the web application environment.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-45845 can vary depending on the extent of Smart Slider 3 usage on their websites. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with this plugin are at risk of integrity compromise, which could lead to unauthorized content manipulation or defacement, damaging brand reputation and user trust. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect confidentiality or availability, the integrity impact could be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the web infrastructure. This is particularly concerning for e-commerce, media, and public sector websites in Europe that use Smart Slider 3 for customer engagement and information dissemination. The requirement for low privileges reduces the risk of widespread exploitation but does not eliminate it, especially in environments where user privilege management is weak. The absence of known exploits suggests limited current threat activity, but the medium severity and network accessibility mean organizations should proactively address the vulnerability to prevent future exploitation.

European organizations should take the following specific actions to mitigate this vulnerability: 1) Immediately inventory all WordPress installations to identify instances of the Smart Slider 3 plugin, noting the version in use. 2) Monitor official Nextend communications and trusted vulnerability databases for patches or updates addressing CVE-2022-45845 and apply them promptly once available. 3) In the absence of an official patch, consider temporarily disabling or removing the Smart Slider 3 plugin from critical websites to eliminate the attack surface. 4) Implement strict access controls and privilege management to ensure that only trusted users have the necessary permissions to interact with the plugin or its data inputs. 5) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious deserialization payloads or malformed requests targeting the plugin endpoints. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on deserialization vulnerabilities and plugin security. 7) Educate web administrators and developers about the risks of deserialization vulnerabilities and best practices for secure plugin management. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing active monitoring, privilege restriction, and temporary mitigation strategies pending official patches.