CVE-2022-50925: Prowise Reflect RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2022-50925 Overview

CVE-2022-50925 is a remote keystroke injection vulnerability affecting Prowise Reflect version 1.0.9. The vulnerability exists due to an exposed WebSocket service on port 8082 that lacks proper origin validation, allowing attackers to send keyboard events remotely. By crafting malicious web pages, attackers can inject keystrokes to open applications and type arbitrary text through specific WebSocket messages.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can inject arbitrary keystrokes into affected systems, potentially leading to arbitrary command execution, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise through automated keystroke sequences.

Affected Products

• Prowise Reflect version 1.0.9
• Systems running Prowise Reflect with WebSocket service exposed on port 8082
• Environments where users may browse malicious web pages while Prowise Reflect is active

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-13 - CVE CVE-2022-50925 published to NVD
• 2026-01-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-50925

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-346 (Origin Validation Error), indicating that the Prowise Reflect WebSocket service fails to properly validate the origin of incoming connections. The WebSocket endpoint on port 8082 accepts keyboard event messages from any origin, including malicious websites visited by users on the same network or local machine.

The attack requires user interaction, specifically visiting a malicious web page while the vulnerable Prowise Reflect application is running. Once the victim visits the attacker-controlled page, JavaScript code can establish a WebSocket connection to the exposed service and begin sending keystroke commands.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-50925 is the absence of proper origin validation on the WebSocket service. Prowise Reflect exposes a WebSocket interface on port 8082 intended for legitimate keyboard input handling, but fails to implement Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) restrictions or WebSocket origin checks. This allows any web page to connect to the service and inject keystroke events as if they were legitimate user input.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must first lure a victim to a malicious web page while Prowise Reflect is running. The malicious page then establishes a WebSocket connection to localhost:8082 or the victim's IP address on port 8082. Once connected, the attacker can send specially crafted WebSocket messages containing keyboard event data, effectively typing arbitrary keystrokes on the victim's system.

This attack can be leveraged to open terminal applications, execute system commands, manipulate open documents, or perform any action achievable through keyboard input. The VulnCheck Security Advisory provides additional technical details on exploitation methods.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-50925

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected WebSocket connections to port 8082 from browser processes
• Anomalous keyboard activity or command execution without user interaction
• Network traffic containing WebSocket upgrade requests to port 8082 originating from web browsers
• Automated typing or rapid keystroke patterns in applications

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for WebSocket connections on port 8082 from non-authorized processes or remote origins
• Implement network monitoring rules to detect unusual traffic patterns to Prowise Reflect services
• Deploy endpoint detection to identify browser-initiated connections to local WebSocket services
• Audit process behavior for signs of automated keystroke injection following web browsing activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for Prowise Reflect WebSocket connections including origin information
• Configure network intrusion detection systems to alert on WebSocket traffic to port 8082
• Implement browser isolation or sandboxing to limit access to local services from web content
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to detect and respond to suspicious keystroke injection patterns and unauthorized process behavior

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-50925

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to port 8082 using host-based firewall rules
• Consider disabling Prowise Reflect until a patched version is available
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of the WebSocket service
• Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites while running Prowise Reflect

Patch Information

No official patch information is currently available from the vendor. Organizations should monitor the Prowise official website for security updates and consult the Exploit-DB entry #50796 for technical details on the vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Block inbound and outbound traffic to port 8082 at the firewall level to prevent exploitation
• Disable or remove Prowise Reflect from systems where it is not required for business operations
• Implement browser security policies that prevent WebSocket connections to localhost services
• Use browser extensions or security tools that block cross-origin WebSocket connections to local addresses

# Configuration example - Block WebSocket port using iptables
# Block incoming connections to port 8082
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8082 -j DROP

# Block outgoing connections to port 8082 (defense in depth)
iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 8082 -j DROP

# Windows Firewall alternative
# netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block Prowise WebSocket" dir=in action=block protocol=tcp localport=8082