CVE-2022-23048: Exponent CMS 2.6.0patch2 allows an authenticated admin user to upload a malicious extension in the format of a

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-23048 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting exponent cms. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Exponent CMS 2.6.0patch2 allows an authenticated admin user to upload a malicious extension in the format of a ZIP file with a PHP file inside it. After upload it, the PHP file will be placed at "themes/simpletheme/{rce}.php" from where can be accessed in order to execute commands.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-434
Published	2022-02-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Fluid Attacks · Vendor: exponentcms

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-02-09 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

exponentcms exponent cms DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.6.0 patch2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.6.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy exponent-cms || rpm -q exponent-cms || exponent-cms --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison exponent-cms sudo apt install exponent-cms=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.0> sudo apt-mark hold exponent-cms

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list exponent-cms sudo dnf downgrade exponent-cms-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.0> sudo dnf versionlock add exponent-cms

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-23048?

exponent cms: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-23048 being exploited?

CVE-2022-23048 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-23048 affect?

CVE-2022-23048 affects exponent cms. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Exponent CMS 2.6.0patch2 allows an authenticated admin user to upload a malicious extension in the format of a ZIP file with a PHP file inside it. After upload it, the PHP file will be placed at "themes/simpletheme/{rce}.php" from where can

How urgent is CVE-2022-23048?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-23049 MEDIUM 5.4 DOWNGRADE Exponent CMS 2.6.0patch2 allows an authenticated user to inject persistent JavaScript code on the "User-Agent"
CVE-2022-23047 MEDIUM 4.8 DOWNGRADE Exponent CMS 2.6.0patch2 allows an authenticated admin user to inject persistent JavaScript code inside the "S
CVE-2021-32441 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE SQL Injection vulnerability in Exponent-CMS v.2.6.0 fixed in 2.7.0 allows attackers to gain access to sensitiv
CVE-2017-8085 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE In Exponent CMS before 2.4.1 Patch #5, XSS in elFinder is possible in framework/modules/file/connector/elfinde
CVE-2017-7991 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE Exponent CMS 2.4.1 and earlier has SQL injection via a base64 serialized API key (apikey parameter) in the api

References

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