# CVE-2022-42092: Backdrop CMS Unrestricted File Upload vulnerability

> Attackers with advanced permissions can upload malicious files to Backdrop CMS themes, potentially leading to remote code execution.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Oct 2022
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-33c9-rppf-m7fq

## What is CVE-2022-42092?

CVE-2022-42092 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 7 Oct 2022. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Backdrop CMS 1.22.0 has Unrestricted File Upload vulnerability via 'themes' that allows attackers to Remote Code Execution. Note: Third parties dispute this and argue that advanced permissions are required.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-42092?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including backdrop/backdrop. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `backdrop/backdrop` | Packagist | All versions to 1.22.0 | None |
| `backdrop/backdrop` | Packagist | All versions to 1.22.0 | None |

Products: Backdropcms Backdrop Cms.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-42092?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-42092 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-42092 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-42092 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2023-46818 Python3 Exploit for Backdrop CMS <= 1.22.0 Authenticated Remote Command Execution (RCE) (github_poc): https://github.com/ajdumanhug/CVE-2022-42092

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-14771](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-14771/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-19902](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-19902/): File upload in n/a (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2025-63828](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-63828/): Backdrop CMS Host Header Injection vulnerability (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2025-44141](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-44141/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2024-54123](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-54123/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 6.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-42092 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-42092 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 7 Oct 2022. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-42092 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- backdrop/backdrop (Packagist): affected all versions up to 1.22.0; no fix listed
- backdrop/backdrop (Packagist): affected all versions up to 1.22.0; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42092/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42092/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-42092
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42092
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-42092

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-42092/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.