CVE-2026-22788 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) affecting SMEWebify's WebErpMesv2 product versions earlier than 1.19. WebErpMesv2 is a web-based resource management and manufacturing execution system widely used in industrial environments. The vulnerability arises because multiple sensitive API endpoints are exposed without any authentication middleware, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to access and interact with critical business data. Specifically, attackers can read sensitive information including company details, quotes, orders, tasks, and whiteboards. Furthermore, the vulnerability permits limited write access, enabling attackers to create new company records and fully manipulate collaboration whiteboards, potentially disrupting business operations and collaboration workflows. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.2 reflects the vulnerability's ease of exploitation (network accessible, no privileges or user interaction required) and its high impact on confidentiality with partial impact on integrity, while availability remains unaffected. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the exposure of sensitive business data and the ability to alter collaboration content pose significant risks. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 12, 2026, and fixed in version 1.19 of WebErpMesv2. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize patching to prevent unauthorized data access and manipulation.

For European organizations, especially those in manufacturing and industrial sectors relying on WebErpMesv2 for resource and execution management, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk. Unauthorized access to sensitive business data such as company records, quotes, and orders can lead to intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and regulatory compliance violations under GDPR due to exposure of potentially personal or sensitive data. The ability to manipulate collaboration whiteboards and create company records can disrupt internal workflows, cause misinformation, and potentially lead to financial losses or operational delays. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, it can be exploited remotely by any attacker scanning for vulnerable endpoints, increasing the attack surface. The lack of availability impact means systems remain operational but compromised in confidentiality and integrity, which can be harder to detect and mitigate. This threat could also facilitate further attacks such as social engineering or supply chain manipulation if attackers leverage the exposed data. The overall impact is high, necessitating urgent remediation to protect business continuity and data privacy.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade WebErpMesv2 installations to version 1.19 or later, where authentication middleware properly protects all sensitive API endpoints. Until upgrading is possible, organizations should implement network-level access controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN restrictions to limit exposure of the vulnerable API endpoints to trusted users only. Conduct a thorough audit of API endpoint accessibility and ensure no sensitive endpoints are publicly reachable without authentication. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block unauthorized API access attempts. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or unauthorized data retrieval and manipulation activities. Educate internal teams about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance for suspicious behavior. Additionally, review and tighten permissions and roles within the application to minimize potential damage from any unauthorized access. Finally, prepare incident response plans to quickly address any exploitation attempts.