CVE-2022-46391 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting AWStats versions 7.x through 7.8, specifically within the hostinfo plugin. AWStats is an open-source web analytics reporting tool widely used for analyzing web server logs. The vulnerability arises because the hostinfo plugin prints responses obtained from the Net::XWhois module without performing adequate input validation or sanitization. Net::XWhois is a Perl module used to query WHOIS information for IP addresses or domain names. When the hostinfo plugin incorporates this external data directly into web pages, it allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), indicating that untrusted input is not properly sanitized before being included in web content. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, meaning the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges but does require user interaction (such as clicking a crafted link), and impacts confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or vendor advisories are currently available. However, the vulnerability could be exploited by tricking users into visiting maliciously crafted URLs or pages that cause the hostinfo plugin to render injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious actions within the context of the AWStats web interface.

For European organizations using AWStats 7.x through 7.8, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of web analytics data and potentially to user sessions accessing the AWStats interface. Since AWStats is often deployed internally or on intranet portals for monitoring web traffic, exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the browsers of administrators or analysts, leading to theft of sensitive information such as login credentials or session cookies. This could facilitate further lateral movement or unauthorized access within the organization. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability could affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting other integrated systems or data. Although availability is not directly affected, the compromise of analytics data integrity could mislead security monitoring and incident response efforts. The requirement for user interaction limits the attack vector to social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting personnel with access to AWStats dashboards. Given the widespread use of AWStats in European public and private sectors for web traffic analysis, the vulnerability could be leveraged to undermine trust in monitoring tools and facilitate broader attacks.

Implement strict input validation and output encoding in the hostinfo plugin to sanitize all data retrieved from Net::XWhois before rendering it in web pages. Restrict access to the AWStats web interface to trusted networks and authenticated users only, minimizing exposure to untrusted external users. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block typical XSS attack patterns targeting AWStats interfaces. Educate users with access to AWStats dashboards about the risks of clicking on untrusted links or opening suspicious emails to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering. Monitor web server logs and AWStats access logs for unusual requests or patterns indicative of attempted exploitation. If feasible, isolate AWStats installations in segmented network zones with limited connectivity to reduce the impact of a potential compromise. Regularly review and update AWStats installations and plugins; although no official patch is currently available, monitor vendor channels for updates or community patches addressing this vulnerability.