CVE-2022-40487: ProcessWire vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting

processwire/processwire Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

31/10/2022
No i
Moderate
6.1

CVE-2022-40487: ProcessWire vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting. Affects processwire/processwire versions < 3.0.200. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

ProcessWire is a popular open-source content management system (CMS) written in PHP. It provides a flexible and powerful platform for building websites and applications. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40487 affects ProcessWire version 3.0.200. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Search Users and Search Pages function. By injecting a crafted payload, attackers can execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected websites or applications.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in ProcessWire version 3.0.200 arises from inadequate input sanitization in the Search Users and Search Pages function. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts or HTML code into the search fields. When unsuspecting users perform a search, the injected code gets executed in their browsers, leading to potential data theft, session hijacking, or defacement of the website. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.1, indicating a moderate severity level.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Workaround

As a temporary workaround, users can disable the affected search functionality until the CMS is updated to a patched version. This can be done by modifying the code or configuration to remove or disable the search feature. However, this is not a permanent solution, and it is strongly recommended to apply the official fix as soon as possible.

Conclusion

ProcessWire version 3.0.200 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through the Search Users and Search Pages function. It is crucial to update to a patched version of ProcessWire to mitigate the risk of exploitation. By keeping the CMS and its components up to date, website owners can ensure the security and integrity of their online presence. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into web pages viewed by other users. This can lead to various attacks, such as stealing sensitive information, session hijacking, or defacing websites.

The ProcessWire vulnerability can be exploited by injecting specially crafted scripts or HTML code into the search fields of the Search Users and Search Pages function. When a user performs a search, the injected code gets executed in their browser, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the attacker's intentions. Possible consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, defacement of the website, or the injection of malicious content that affects other users.

Yes, the developers of ProcessWire have released a fix for this vulnerability in subsequent versions. It is recommended to update to the latest stable release to ensure the security of the CMS and mitigate the risk of exploitation.

You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your version of ProcessWire is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, providing valuable insights without requiring access to the code or installation.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for processwire/processwire.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

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