CVE-2023-1702 in pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Generic in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.5.20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2023
Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws, with CVE-2023-1702 demonstrating the critical nature of inadequate input validation in content management systems. This specific vulnerability affects the pimcore repository prior to version 10.5.20, where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. The flaw exists in the generic handling of data inputs across multiple components of the pimcore platform, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of this content management system in enterprise environments. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input validation mechanisms within pimcore's data processing pipelines. When user-provided content is stored and subsequently displayed without proper sanitization, attackers can embed malicious JavaScript code within parameters, form fields, or URL components. This generic nature of the flaw indicates that multiple entry points within the application are susceptible to the same vulnerability, suggesting a systemic issue in the application's security architecture rather than isolated code defects. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines the classic Cross-site Scripting weakness where untrusted data is improperly handled in web applications. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that, when executed, can access sensitive cookies, session tokens, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects the core functionality of content management, user interface rendering, and data display mechanisms that are fundamental to pimcore's operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1702 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the compromised application to target other system components. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, access administrative functions, or use the compromised application as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on pimcore for managing sensitive content, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including user registration forms, content editing interfaces, and API endpoints. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious content to gain initial access to systems. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized content manipulation, or loss of user trust if this vulnerability is exploited in production environments. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise settings where pimcore is used for managing customer data, product catalogs, or internal communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1702 must focus on immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided patch to version 10.5.20 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization at all entry points, particularly where user data is processed and rendered in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution even if input validation is bypassed. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities within the application's codebase and related systems. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing that proper input validation and output encoding are fundamental requirements for secure web application development.