CVE-2022-46165 is a medium-severity (CVSS 4.6) Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in github.com/syncthing/syncthing. 1 public exploit or proof-of-concept reference is indexed, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for github.com/syncthing/syncthing — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in Web GUI in syncthing
Exploitation Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code exists
- CISA’s SSVC triage found public proof-of-concept exploit code for this CVE, though no confirmed active exploitation.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2022-46165.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
github.com/syncthing/syncthingReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Go packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Impact
-
A compromised instance with shared folders could sync malicious files which contain arbitrary HTML and JavaScript in the name. If the owner of another device looks over the shared folder settings and moves the mouse over the latest sync, a script could be executed to change settings for shared folders or add devices automatically.
-
Adding a new device with a malicious name could embed HTML or JavaScript inside parts of the page.
Risk
As long as trusted devices are used, the risk is low. Additionally, the web GUI is not used that often in daily use which reduces the likelihood of exploitation.
Details
1. Field "Latest Change"
- Open the web GUI at http://127.0.0.1:8384/.
- Create/Delete a file named
<img src=a onerror=alert(123)>and sync it to the other instance. - Move your mouse over the latest change to trigger the tooltip.
Web browser source
<span tooltip="" data-original-title="\"><img src=a onerror=alert(123)> @ 2022-11-30 16:58:43"
aria-describedby="tooltip409527">
<!-- ngIf: !folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted --><span translate=""
translate-value-file=""><img src=a onerror=alert(123)>" ng-if="!folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted"
class="ng-scope">Updated "><img src=a onerror=alert(123)></span>
<!-- end ngIf: !folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted -->
<!-- ngIf: folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted -->
</span>
<div class="tooltip fade top in" role="tooltip" id="tooltip409527"
style="top: 446.033px; left: 318.3px; display: block;">
<div class="tooltip-arrow" style="left: 50%;"></div>
<div class="tooltip-inner">\"><img src="a" onerror="alert(123)"> @ 2022-11-30 16:58:43</div>
</div>
Corresponding code in the project
File gui/default/index.html:
<tr ng-if="folder.type != 'sendonly' && folder.type != 'receiveencrypted' && folderStats[folder.id].lastFile && folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.filename">
<th><span class="fas fa-fw fa-exchange-alt"></span> <span translate>Latest Change</span></th>
<td class="text-right">
<span tooltip data-original-title="{{folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.filename}} @ {{folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.at | date:'yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss'}}">
<span translate translate-value-file="{{folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.filename | basename}}" ng-if="!folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted">Updated {%file%}</span>
<span translate translate-value-file="{{folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.filename | basename}}" ng-if="folderStats[folder.id].lastFile.deleted">Deleted {%file%}</span>
</span>
</td>
</tr>
File gui/default/syncthing/core/tooltipDirective.js:
angular.module('syncthing.core')
.directive('tooltip', function () {
return {
restrict: 'A',
link: function (scope, element, attributes) {
$(element).tooltip({
html: 'true'
});
}
};
});
The attribute html should not be set to true or input sanitized.
2. Field "Shared With"
- Open the web GUI at http://127.0.0.1:8384/.
- Create a device with the following name
fedora 1"'><h1>Headline</h1><img src=x><script>alert(1)</script>. - Add the device to another instance and share a folder.
- Move your mouse over the malicious device name to trigger the tooltip.
Web browser source
<span tooltip="" data-original-title="fedora 1"'><h1>Headline</h1><img src=x><script>alert(1)</script> "
ng-bind-html="sharesFolder(folder)" class="ng-binding" aria-describedby="tooltip348410">fedora 1"'><h1>Headline
</h1><img src="x"></span>
<div class="tooltip fade top" role="tooltip" id="tooltip348410" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; display: block;">
<div class="tooltip-arrow" style="left: 50%;"></div>
<div class="tooltip-inner">fedora 1"'><h1>Headline</h1><img src="x">
<script>alert(1)</script>
</div>
</div>
Corresponding code in the project
File gui/default/index.html:
<tr>
<th><span class="fas fa-fw fa-share-alt"></span> <span translate>Shared With</span></th>
<td class="text-right">
<span tooltip data-original-title="{{sharesFolder(folder)}} {{folderHasUnacceptedDevices(folder) ? '<br/>(<sup>1</sup>' + ('The remote device has not accepted sharing this folder.' | translate) + ')' : ''}} {{folderHasPausedDevices(folder) ? '<br/>(<sup>2</sup>' + ('The remote device has paused this folder.' | translate) + ')' : ''}}" ng-bind-html="sharesFolder(folder)"></span>
</td>
</tr>
File gui/default/syncthing/core/tooltipDirective.js:
angular.module('syncthing.core')
.directive('tooltip', function () {
return {
restrict: 'A',
link: function (scope, element, attributes) {
$(element).tooltip({
html: 'true'
});
}
};
});
The attribute html should not be set to true or input sanitized.
HTML Injection in "Edit Folder"
<img width="672" alt="shared-with-2" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/9484134/205084067-b33f8536-e350-4de1-86f6-3d4a12a683c3.png">Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐹Go | github.com/syncthing/syncthing | all versions | 1.23.5go get github.com/syncthing/syncthing@v1.23.5 |
Affected Products
syncthingsyncthingResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for github.com/syncthing/syncthing, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update github.com/syncthing/syncthing to 1.23.5 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2022-46165 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
Escape or sanitise the affected output on the server side rather than relying on client-side filtering, and add a Content-Security-Policy that blocks inline script execution so injected markup cannot run even if it reaches the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2022-46165 in your dependencies?
Find it across Go, including transitive dependencies.