CVE-2017-9356 in Sitecore.NET
Summary
by MITRE
Sitecore.NET 7.1 through 7.2 has a Cross Site Scripting Vulnerability via the searchStr parameter to the /Search-Results URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9356 affects Sitecore.NET versions 7.1 through 7.2, specifically targeting the search functionality within the application's web interface. This cross site scripting vulnerability exists in the handling of user input through the searchStr parameter when accessing the /Search-Results URI endpoint. The flaw represents a classic server-side input validation issue that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further attack vectors. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a significant concern for web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the searchStr parameter before it is processed and rendered back to users in the search results page. When users submit search queries through the web interface, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input characters, particularly those that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows an attacker to craft malicious search terms containing script tags or other executable code that gets embedded directly into the response HTML. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs in a commonly used feature that many users interact with regularly, providing multiple opportunities for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft search terms that when executed in a victim's browser environment will steal cookies, session tokens, or redirect users to phishing sites. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data within the Sitecore application, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive content management features. The attack surface is broad since any user with access to the search functionality can be targeted, making this a critical security concern for organizations relying on Sitecore for content management and digital experience platforms.
Organizations should immediately implement input validation and output encoding measures to address this vulnerability, following the principle of least privilege and proper parameter sanitization. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in search functionality, and applying proper HTML encoding to all dynamic content before rendering. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns, as well as conducting comprehensive security testing of all web application components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting languages and T1566.002 which addresses credential access through web applications, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches to prevent exploitation. The fix should involve updating to Sitecore versions that have addressed this vulnerability through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, while also implementing security awareness training for developers to prevent similar issues in future code development cycles.