CVE-2022-38545
Published: 19 September 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-38545 is a critical-severity Cross-site Scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Valine.Js Valine. Its CVSS base score is 9.6 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked in the top 17.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
Valine version 1.4.18 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that permits arbitrary code execution through a specially crafted POST request. The affected component is the Valine comment system library, which carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.6 reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, no required privileges, and required user interaction that results in changed scope with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The issue is also associated with CWE-79.
An unauthenticated attacker can send the malicious POST request over the network to trigger the flaw. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to run arbitrary code in the context of the affected application, potentially leading to full compromise of the host system or connected resources.
The EPSS score for this CVE rose from a low baseline after disclosure to a peak of 0.0690 on 2025-12-11 before receding to the current value of 0.0165, indicating a period of increased exploitation interest that warrants renewed attention from defenders.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-6875
Vulnerability details
Valine v1.4.18 was discovered to contain a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted POST request.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing submits XSS payloads to web applications, detecting cross-site scripting flaws for subsequent remediation.
Validates web inputs to reject script-related content that could produce XSS.
Output validation against expected content can reject or sanitize script content in generated web pages, reducing XSS exploitability.