CVE-2022-46165 : What You Need to Know

Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Syncthing

Understanding CVE-2022-46165

Syncthing, an open-source file synchronization program, was found to have a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in versions prior to 1.23.5, allowing malicious files to execute scripts and potentially compromise user data.

What is CVE-2022-46165?

The CVE-2022-46165 vulnerability in Syncthing arises from an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web user interface. This can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other malicious activities.

The Impact of CVE-2022-46165

The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, potentially resulting in a stored cross-site scripting attack that allows threat actors to execute arbitrary scripts on a victim's device. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access, compromise data integrity, and perform various malicious actions within the shared folders of Syncthing.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-46165

The following technical details shed light on the vulnerability and its implications:

Vulnerability Description

In versions prior to 1.23.5, a compromised Syncthing instance with shared folders could synchronize malicious files containing arbitrary HTML and JavaScript in the name. This could lead to the execution of scripts when interacted with, enabling attackers to change settings, add devices automatically, or embed malicious content.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Syncthing itself, with versions earlier than 1.23.5 being vulnerable to this XSS flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sharing compromised files containing malicious scripts within Syncthing shared folders. When another user interacts with these files, the scripts get executed, allowing the attacker to manipulate settings, add devices, or perform malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against the CVE-2022-46165 vulnerability, users and administrators can take the following preventive measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Syncthing to version 1.23.5 or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability and enhance security.
Avoid sharing folders with untrusted users if immediate upgrade is not possible to prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to address known security issues and protect against potential attacks.
Educate users on safe file-sharing practices and the risks associated with interacting with files from unknown or untrusted sources.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Syncthing to patch vulnerabilities promptly and maintain a secure file synchronization environment.