CVE-2022-46051 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability identified in the AeroCMS-v0.0.1 content management system. The vulnerability specifically arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'approve' parameter within the CMS, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL code. This type of vulnerability (CWE-89) enables an adversary to manipulate backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the database integrity and availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), but requiring high privileges (PR:H) and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical nature of SQL injection flaws and the potential for exploitation by privileged users or insiders. AeroCMS appears to be a niche or less widely known CMS, with limited public information on affected versions or vendor details, complicating patching and mitigation efforts. The lack of available patches or vendor advisories increases the urgency for organizations using AeroCMS to implement compensating controls and closely monitor for suspicious activity related to the 'approve' parameter or database queries.

For European organizations using AeroCMS, this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, data tampering, or service disruption. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, attackers exploiting this flaw could extract personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The requirement for high privileges to exploit the vulnerability suggests that insider threats or compromised administrative accounts are primary risk vectors. However, if privilege escalation is possible, external attackers could also leverage this flaw. The absence of patches and the unknown extent of AeroCMS deployment in Europe complicate risk assessment. Critical sectors such as government, healthcare, and finance that rely on CMS platforms for content management and data storage may be particularly vulnerable if AeroCMS is in use. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for further lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access to the 'approve' parameter functionality to only trusted, authenticated administrators to minimize exposure. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting SQL injection patterns on the 'approve' parameter to block malicious payloads. 3. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation enhancements to sanitize and parameterize all database queries involving the 'approve' parameter, ideally using prepared statements or ORM frameworks. 4. Monitor database logs and application logs for unusual query patterns or errors indicative of injection attempts. 5. If possible, isolate AeroCMS instances in segmented network zones with strict access controls to limit potential lateral movement. 6. Engage with AeroCMS developers or community to obtain or develop patches addressing this vulnerability. 7. Educate privileged users on the risks of SQL injection and enforce strong credential hygiene to reduce insider threat risks. 8. As a longer-term measure, consider migrating to more widely supported CMS platforms with active security maintenance if AeroCMS support is limited.