CVE-2022-1590 in Bludit
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2022
A vulnerability was found in Bludit 3.13.1. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the endpoint /admin/new-content of the New Content module. The manipulation of the argument content with the input alert(1) leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely but requires an authentication. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
This vulnerability resides within Bludit version 3.13.1's administrative interface, specifically targeting the /admin/new-content endpoint of the New Content module. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within the administrative context of the CMS, where authenticated users possess elevated privileges and can potentially access sensitive functionality. The attack vector requires an authenticated session, meaning that an attacker must first compromise credentials or gain legitimate access to an administrative account before exploiting this weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper content sanitization where the application fails to adequately filter or escape user input before rendering it within the web page context. When an authenticated user submits content containing the payload alert(1), the application does not properly sanitize this input, allowing the JavaScript code to execute within the browser context of other users who view the affected content. This behavior aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, where insufficient input validation allows malicious scripts to be injected and executed. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side injection point suggests that the application's content management system does not properly implement output encoding or context-appropriate sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a variety of malicious activities within the administrative context. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the CMS. The fact that this vulnerability is located within the administrative new content endpoint means that it could be leveraged to inject malicious scripts into blog posts, pages, or other content types that are displayed to other users. The public disclosure of this exploit increases the risk profile significantly, as it provides attackers with a readily available method to compromise systems without requiring advanced technical skills or additional reconnaissance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's content handling processes. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address this specific cross-site scripting weakness. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, including Content Security Policy headers, can help prevent unauthorized script execution even if input validation fails. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous content submissions within administrative interfaces, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system highlights the importance of implementing robust input sanitization at multiple layers of the application architecture, as recommended by security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.