CVE-2022-0243 in Orchard
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in NuGet OrchardCore.Application.Cms.Targets prior to 1.2.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0243 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the NuGet package OrchardCore.Application.Cms.Targets affecting versions prior to 1.2.2. This security defect resides in the Orchard Core content management framework that is widely utilized for building web applications and digital experiences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious script code into the system through legitimate user input fields or API endpoints that are subsequently stored and executed when other users view the affected content. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the application's database or storage layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. This flaw specifically impacts the CMS targets functionality which is commonly used in Orchard Core implementations for managing web content and application behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly sanitize and encode user-provided input before rendering it within web pages. When users submit content or data through various interface elements such as forms, comments, or configuration parameters, the application does not adequately validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access the compromised content. The vulnerability manifests in scenarios where user-generated content is displayed without proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate sanitization. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The specific implementation pattern suggests a failure in implementing proper context-aware encoding mechanisms that would prevent script execution when rendering user-supplied content within HTML contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. An attacker could leverage this stored XSS vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious domains for phishing attacks. The persistent nature of the stored payload means that even if the initial injection occurs during a brief window of time, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who access the affected content. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Orchard Core for content management, web applications, or digital platforms where user-generated content is common. The attack surface includes any functionality that accepts user input and displays it on web pages without proper sanitization. Organizations may face significant reputational damage, data breaches, and potential regulatory penalties if this vulnerability is exploited successfully. The impact is amplified in environments where the CMS serves as a central platform for multiple applications or where sensitive business data is managed through the content management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0243 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Orchard Core versions to 1.2.2 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing interfaces, particularly focusing on context-aware encoding for HTML, JavaScript, and URL contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security scanning and code review processes should be enhanced to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom extensions or modifications to the Orchard Core framework. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect suspicious patterns of XSS attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while eliminating the security vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Orchard Core implementations to identify any custom modules or extensions that may be susceptible to similar vulnerabilities, as the fix may not automatically address all potential attack vectors within custom code. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for continuous security monitoring in CMS environments where user interaction is prevalent.