CVE-2022-42112 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 10/19/2022
A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Portal Search module's Sort widget in Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.24, and Liferay DXP 7.2 before fix pack 19, 7.3 before update 5, and DXP 7.4 before update 25 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Portal Search module's Sort widget functionality of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP platforms. The flaw affects versions ranging from Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.3.24 and specific DXP releases before their respective fix packs and update versions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Sort widget's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the Sort widget, execute unintended JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability that falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates through the search functionality, a commonly used and trusted module within enterprise portal environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through carefully constructed input parameters. When the Sort widget processes these malicious inputs, the encoded content bypasses security controls and executes within the victim's browser session. This behavior creates a persistent threat where authenticated users may unknowingly execute malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it resides within a core portal functionality that typically requires minimal user interaction to trigger, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where portal systems handle sensitive business data. The exploitation requires no special privileges beyond normal user access, as the vulnerability exists in the server-side processing of user inputs that are then rendered to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for enterprise portal deployments. Organizations utilizing affected Liferay versions face risks of unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors through malicious script injection, enabling attackers to maintain access to the portal environment over extended periods. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be combined with other exploits, creating more sophisticated attack chains that could compromise entire enterprise systems. The presence of XSS vulnerabilities in portal search functionality particularly threatens organizations that rely on these systems for business-critical operations, as the attack surface includes not only individual user sessions but also potential access to administrative functions and sensitive data repositories.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and update their systems to versions that address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include implementing robust input validation controls and output encoding mechanisms specifically targeting the Sort widget functionality. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious script injection attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their portal environments. Implementing content security policies and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for administrators and developers is essential to prevent configuration errors that could exacerbate the vulnerability's impact. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect similar XSS vulnerabilities in custom portal extensions and third-party integrations that may not be immediately patched. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce regressions in portal functionality while maintaining the security posture against this and related threats.