CVE-2022-27156 in Fuel CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2022
Daylight Studio Fuel CMS 1.5.1 is vulnerable to HTML Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2022
Daylight Studio Fuel CMS version 1.5.1 contains a critical HTML injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious HTML code into the application's output. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the CMS's content management components. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user-supplied data when rendering content, particularly in areas where dynamic HTML generation occurs without proper security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting carefully crafted HTML content through various input fields, which then gets rendered in the application interface without adequate filtering or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities where improper validation of input allows malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users. This type of vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this HTML injection vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation and can lead to severe security consequences for organizations using the affected CMS. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browser of unsuspecting users who view the compromised content. This opens the door to session fixation attacks, where attackers can steal user sessions and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for phishing attacks, where malicious links or forms can be embedded within the CMS interface, deceiving users into providing sensitive information. Additionally, the injected HTML content can be used to redirect users to malicious websites or download malware, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in enterprise environments. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be exploited through standard user input fields, making it accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge.
Organizations utilizing Daylight Studio Fuel CMS 1.5.1 should implement immediate mitigations to address this HTML injection vulnerability. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-facing interfaces where content is rendered. This includes sanitizing all user-supplied data before it is processed or displayed, ensuring that any HTML characters are properly escaped or removed. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded within the application. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) that can detect and block malicious HTML injection attempts. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability represents a technique for initial access through malicious HTML content, while T1133 covers the use of compromised web applications for credential theft and privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common web application vulnerabilities.
The remediation process should involve updating to the latest version of Daylight Studio Fuel CMS where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Security patches should be applied immediately, and organizations should verify that the fix properly addresses the root cause rather than merely masking symptoms. Regular security training for developers should emphasize the importance of validating all user input and encoding output to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future code modifications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for implementing proper security controls throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent. Organizations should establish robust security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify potential injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The combination of proper input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments forms the foundation for protecting web applications against HTML injection attacks and maintaining the integrity of user data within CMS environments.