CVE-2010-1593 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SilverStripe before 2.3.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the CommenterURL parameter to PostCommentForm, and in the Forum module before 0.2.5 in SilverStripe before 2.3.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (2) the Search parameter to forums/search (aka the search script).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1593 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting SilverStripe content management systems prior to version 2.3.5. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the SilverStripe framework, specifically targeting the PostCommentForm functionality and the Forum module's search capabilities. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application environment. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, making it a fundamental security concern for web-based systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within SilverStripe's comment posting and forum search functionalities. When users submit comments through the PostCommentForm, the CommenterURL parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the comment. Similarly, the Forum module's search endpoint does not adequately filter or escape user-supplied search terms, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code. These flaws occur because the application does not employ proper context-aware output encoding or input validation mechanisms before processing user-provided data.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1593 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire user sessions and access sensitive data within the SilverStripe environment. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or manipulate forum content to spread further attacks. The vulnerability affects both the core SilverStripe platform and its forum module, creating a broader attack surface that could impact multiple users simultaneously. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1566, this vulnerability represents a server-side web application attack that could lead to privilege escalation or data manipulation within the affected systems. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly concerning as injected scripts remain active until the affected pages are refreshed or the malicious content is manually removed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1593 should focus on immediate patching of SilverStripe installations to version 2.3.5 or later, which includes the necessary input validation and output sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation on all user-facing parameters, particularly those used in comment submission and search functionality. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution, while proper output encoding should be enforced for all dynamic content generation. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in existing functionality while maintaining the application's intended user experience.