CVE-2021-35361 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2021
A reflected cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in dotAdmin/#/c/links of dotCMS 21.05.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands or HTML via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-35361 represents a critical reflected cross site scripting flaw within the dotCMS content management system version 21.05.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface at the path dotAdmin/#/c/links, where user input is improperly sanitized and directly reflected back to the browser without adequate security controls. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privilege escalation within the CMS environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the dotCMS administrative module. When users navigate to the links management section of the admin panel, the application fails to properly sanitize parameters passed through the URL or form inputs. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed when the reflected content is rendered in the browser, allowing attackers to bypass standard security measures that would normally prevent script execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and demonstrates the classic characteristics of reflected XSS where the malicious script is embedded in a URL or form submission and executed by the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data within the dotCMS environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code, potentially stealing session cookies, modifying content, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attacks can be delivered through phishing emails or compromised links, making them particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrators frequently access administrative interfaces. This vulnerability could also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially allowing privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Security mitigations for CVE-2021-35361 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected dotCMS version to the latest available release that addresses the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls throughout the application, particularly in administrative interfaces where user input is processed. Web Application Firewall rules can be deployed to detect and block known malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and proper session management controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of administrative web interfaces where the potential impact of XSS attacks can be maximized. Organizations should also conduct regular security training for administrators to recognize phishing attempts that may exploit this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts.