CVE-2022-46154 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) found in versions of kalcaddle's KodExplorer prior to 4.50. KodExplorer is a web-based file manager and browser-based code editor primarily used in Chinese language environments. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly restrict pathname inputs, allowing unauthenticated users to craft requests that access arbitrary files on the host operating system's file system. This means that any file accessible by the KodExplorer process can be read by an attacker without requiring authentication or user interaction. The flaw is due to insufficient validation or sanitization of file path parameters, enabling traversal outside the intended directory boundaries. The issue was addressed in version 4.50, and users are strongly advised to upgrade. No known workarounds exist, and no public exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing potentially sensitive files, but does not directly affect integrity or availability. Exploitation is straightforward since it requires no authentication and no user interaction, increasing the risk of unauthorized data disclosure. KodExplorer is often deployed in web environments where file management and code editing are needed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous if exposed to the internet or untrusted networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality, especially in sectors that rely on KodExplorer for file management or development tasks. Unauthorized access to configuration files, source code, credentials, or sensitive documents could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or further compromise of internal systems. Organizations in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government could face compliance violations and reputational damage if sensitive data is exposed. Since the vulnerability allows unauthenticated access, attackers can exploit it remotely without prior access, increasing the attack surface. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers could develop exploits given the straightforward nature of the flaw. The vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, but the exposure of sensitive files could facilitate subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. European organizations using KodExplorer in development environments or as part of web portals should consider this vulnerability a medium to high risk due to the ease of exploitation and potential data exposure.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade KodExplorer to version 4.50 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should prioritize patching affected instances immediately. In addition to upgrading, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict access to KodExplorer interfaces via network segmentation and firewall rules, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests targeting KodExplorer endpoints. 3) Conduct thorough audits of file permissions and ensure the KodExplorer process runs with the least privilege necessary, minimizing accessible files. 4) Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests containing traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5) If upgrading is temporarily not possible, consider disabling or restricting access to KodExplorer until a patch can be applied. 6) Educate development and IT teams about the risks of exposing file management tools publicly and enforce secure deployment practices. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, monitoring, and privilege management specific to this vulnerability.