CVE-2020-25102 in silverstripe-advancedreports
Summary
by MITRE
silverstripe-advancedreports (aka the Advanced Reports module for SilverStripe) 1.0 through 2.0 is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) because it is possible to inject and store malicious JavaScript code. The affects admin/advanced-reports/DataObjectReport/EditForm/field/DataObjectReport/item (aka report preview) when an SVG document is provided in the Description parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25102 affects the silverstripe-advancedreports module, specifically versions 1.0 through 2.0, within the SilverStripe content management system ecosystem. This issue represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables attackers to inject and store malicious JavaScript code within the application's administrative interface. The vulnerability manifests through the report preview functionality, which processes user-provided SVG documents in the Description parameter, creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise administrator sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical flaw resides in the improper sanitization and handling of SVG content within the DataObjectReport/EditForm/field/DataObjectReport/item endpoint. When administrators access the report preview functionality and an attacker provides malicious SVG content containing embedded JavaScript within the Description parameter, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before storing and rendering it. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Cross-Site Scripting, specifically the stored XSS variant where malicious code is permanently stored on the server and executed when other users access the affected page. The attack vector leverages the fact that SVG files can contain executable JavaScript when processed by modern web browsers, particularly when embedded within HTML contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the context of administrator sessions. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, modify or delete sensitive data, access restricted administrative functions, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the SilverStripe installation. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface specifically, making it particularly dangerous as it targets privileged users who have elevated system access. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on SilverStripe for content management, as compromised administrator credentials could lead to complete system takeover and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-25102 should prioritize immediate patching of the silverstripe-advancedreports module to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all user-provided content, particularly SVG files, ensuring that any embedded JavaScript is stripped or properly escaped before storage. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits of SilverStripe modules and core components should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised administrative sessions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious SVG content uploads to detect potential exploitation attempts.