CVE-2023-22729 in Silverstripe
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2023
Silverstripe Framework is the Model-View-Controller framework that powers the Silverstripe content management system. Prior to version 4.12.15, an attacker can display a link to a third party website on a login screen by convincing a legitimate content author to follow a specially crafted link. Users should upgrade to Silverstripe Framework 4.12.15 or above to address the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22729 represents a significant security flaw within the Silverstripe Framework that affects versions prior to 4.12.15. This issue manifests as a potential phishing attack vector that specifically targets the login screen of the content management system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle external links presented during the authentication process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious links that appear legitimate to content authors, thereby creating a deceptive environment where users might unknowingly navigate to malicious third-party websites while attempting to log into the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the framework's handling of external URL references within authentication contexts. When users access the login screen, the system displays links to external resources that should be properly validated and sanitized before presentation. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that can redirect users to phishing sites or other harmful destinations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation as defined by CWE categories 20 and 601. The issue demonstrates a failure in the framework's security controls that should prevent unauthorized redirections during critical authentication processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22729 extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it creates an environment where legitimate content authors may be deceived into visiting malicious websites while performing routine administrative tasks. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exploits the trust relationship between users and the content management system, leveraging the familiarity of the login interface to mask malicious activity. The attack vector specifically targets the authentication phase, which is a critical security boundary where users are most likely to interact with external links. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with technique T1566.001 for phishing and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged to compromise user credentials or redirect them to malicious sites.
Organizations utilizing Silverstripe Framework versions prior to 4.12.15 face significant risk exposure through this vulnerability, as it could lead to credential theft, data breaches, or further compromise of the content management infrastructure. The attack requires minimal sophistication from threat actors, as it relies on social engineering combined with a technical flaw rather than complex exploitation methods. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Silverstripe Framework version 4.12.15 or higher, which implements proper input validation and URL sanitization mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious redirection patterns, and conducting security awareness training for content authors to recognize potential phishing attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing during development cycles and the need for robust input validation controls in authentication contexts to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.