CVE-2010-4823 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the httpError method in sapphire/core/control/RequestHandler.php in SilverStripe 2.3.x before 2.3.10 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4, when custom error handling is not used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via "missing URL actions."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4823 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SilverStripe content management system that affects versions prior to specific security patches. This vulnerability resides in the httpError method implementation within the RequestHandler.php file located in sapphire/core/control/ directory. The flaw manifests when the system encounters missing URL actions and processes error handling without custom error pages, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability specifically impacts SilverStripe versions 2.3.x before 2.3.10 and 2.4.x before 2.4.4, indicating a widespread issue affecting multiple release branches of the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user input when handling missing URL actions during error processing. When SilverStripe encounters a request for a non-existent URL action, the default error handling mechanism fails to properly escape or validate the input parameters before incorporating them into error messages displayed to users. This creates a classic XSS vector where attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML content that gets executed when the error page is rendered. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves Exploitation for Client Execution through web-based attacks. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it leverages the system's default error handling behavior rather than requiring specialized attack vectors or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. When users encounter the error page generated by the vulnerable system, any malicious script injected through the URL parameters will execute in their browser context, potentially compromising their session cookies or personal data. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for web applications that rely on SilverStripe for content management, as it can affect any site that does not implement custom error handling and has not applied the relevant security patches. The default behavior of the system creates an inherent risk for all installations until the vulnerability is addressed through software updates or workaround implementations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their SilverStripe installations to versions 2.3.10 or 2.4.4 respectively, which contain the necessary security fixes. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the httpError method, ensuring that user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being rendered in error messages. Additional mitigations may include implementing custom error handling pages that properly escape all user input, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of all SilverStripe installations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security updates as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that default system behaviors should never be considered inherently secure without proper security hardening measures.