CVE-2022-47197 in Ghost
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2023
An insecure default vulnerability exists in the Post Creation functionality of Ghost Foundation Ghost 5.9.4. Default installations of Ghost allow non-administrator users to inject arbitrary Javascript in posts, which allow privilege escalation to administrator via XSS. To trigger this vulnerability, an attacker can send an HTTP request to inject Javascript in a post to trick an administrator into visiting the post.A stored XSS vulnerability exists in the `codeinjection_foot` for a post.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-47197 represents a critical insecure default configuration within the Ghost content management system version 5.9.4, specifically affecting the post creation functionality. This flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input in the code injection fields, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability manifests when non-administrator users can inject arbitrary javascript code into posts, which then gets executed when administrators view these posts, effectively enabling privilege escalation through cross-site scripting techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the `codeinjection_foot` parameter of post creation, where the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize input from users with limited privileges. This insecure default configuration allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed in the context of an administrator's browser session, can perform actions with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates through a classic stored XSS attack vector where malicious javascript code is persisted in the database and subsequently served to administrators when they access the affected posts, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged for session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's access control mechanisms and input validation processes. When administrators are tricked into viewing compromised posts, their browsers execute the injected javascript code, potentially allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the Ghost installation. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically JavaScript, as well as T1548.001 for abuse of credentials for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically involves social engineering to convince administrators to visit malicious posts, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently review user-generated content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-47197 require immediate implementation of input sanitization measures and access control restrictions. Organizations should upgrade to Ghost versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the default configuration should never allow unprivileged users to inject javascript code into posts. Security controls should include comprehensive input validation for all code injection fields, implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, and regular security audits of user permissions and access controls. Additionally, administrators should be trained to recognize social engineering attempts and avoid visiting suspicious content, while security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual administrator activity patterns that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.