CVE-2021-35358 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2021
A stored cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in dotAdmin/#/c/c_Images of dotCMS 21.05.1 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload entered into the 'Title' and 'Filename' parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The stored cross site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-35358 exists within the dotCMS content management platform version 21.05.1 specifically affecting the administrative interface at the dotAdmin/#/c/c_Images endpoint. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious scripts into the system's image management functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data in the Title and Filename parameters of image assets. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed and stored within the system, execute automatically in the context of other users who view the affected image records. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists within the application's database and executes each time the affected content is rendered, making it particularly dangerous for long-term impact. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as the improper validation or encoding of input data that allows attackers to inject executable scripts into web applications. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before storing and subsequently rendering it in web pages. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who have access to the image management functionality, which typically includes content editors, administrators, and other authorized personnel within the dotCMS platform. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on dotCMS for content management, as a compromised user account with image management privileges can be leveraged to execute persistent attacks against other users within the same system. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering attacks through spearphishing with links, where malicious payloads are delivered through trusted administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which encompasses script injection attacks through web applications. Organizations utilizing dotCMS 21.05.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and privilege controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. The recommended remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper parameter validation, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious activities within the image management subsystem. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in their content management infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust input sanitization practices and proper access controls in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces that handle user-supplied content. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability in their risk assessment processes and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent unauthorized script execution within their dotCMS environments.