CVE-2010-2422 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PortalTransforms in Plone 2.1 through 3.3.4 before hotfix 20100612 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the safe_html transform.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2422 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PortalTransforms component of the Plone content management system. This issue affects versions ranging from 2.1 through 3.3.4 and specifically targets the safe_html transform functionality that is designed to sanitize user input before rendering content. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious script payloads within the HTML transformation process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses the intended security measures, allowing arbitrary web script or HTML code to be injected into the application's output. The flaw exists in the transformation pipeline where user-supplied content is processed through the safe_html filter, which is supposed to remove potentially dangerous elements but fails to adequately sanitize all input vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate handling of HTML entities and script tags within the PortalTransforms library. When the safe_html transform processes user input, it does not sufficiently validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other harmful content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various vectors including form submissions, comment fields, or any input field that utilizes the affected transformation process. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it undermines the security assumptions of the safe_html filter, which is specifically designed to protect against such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for Plone installations that are running affected versions. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and potential full compromise of user accounts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute persistent XSS attacks that affect multiple users who access the compromised content. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to administrative functions or data modification. Organizations using Plone systems are at risk of reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of user data and system integrity compromises. The vulnerability affects both the application's frontend presentation and its backend security posture, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that handle sensitive information.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2010-2422 requires immediate application of the vendor-provided hotfix 20100612 which addresses the specific sanitization issues within the PortalTransforms component. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, regular security assessments of the application's transformation pipelines, and monitoring for suspicious content patterns. Security teams should conduct comprehensive testing to ensure that all input fields utilizing the safe_html transform are properly protected. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional protective measures. Regular updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in the future, ensuring that security patches are applied promptly across all affected systems.