CVE-2022-37248 in Craft
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
Craft CMS 4.2.0.1 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) via src/helpers/Cp.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37248 affects Craft CMS version 4.2.0.1 and represents a cross site scripting flaw located within the src/helpers/Cp.php file. This particular vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered in the web application's user interface. The issue manifests when the application processes certain parameters that are passed to the Cp.php helper file, which is responsible for generating control panel elements and user interface components. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the control panel helper functions. When Craft CMS processes requests that involve user-provided data through the Cp.php file, the application fails to adequately escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed when other users view affected pages or interact with the control panel. The vulnerability specifically impacts the rendering of content within Craft CMS's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous for users with administrative privileges who may be exposed to malicious scripts during routine operations.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Craft CMS for content management. Attackers could leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The impact is amplified when considering that Craft CMS administrators often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive content management features. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate their privileges, access confidential data, or manipulate content within the CMS. Additionally, the persistence of such vulnerabilities in the control panel interface means that malicious scripts could remain active and continue to affect users until the issue is resolved through patching or mitigation.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) framework, where it aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws. The ATT&CK (Attack Tree) framework would categorize this under the technique of "Command and Control" through web-based attacks, where initial access is gained through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and deploying content security policies to prevent script execution. Regular security assessments of web applications should include thorough testing of input handling mechanisms, particularly within administrative interfaces where the potential for impact is highest. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls in content management systems to prevent unauthorized access and data compromise.