CVE-2023-25240 in pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2023
An improper SameSite Attribute vulnerability in pimCore v10.5.15 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25240 represents a critical security flaw in pimCore version 10.5.15 that stems from an improper SameSite attribute implementation within the application's session management mechanisms. This weakness fundamentally compromises the web application's ability to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks by failing to properly enforce the SameSite cookie attributes that are essential for protecting user sessions and preventing unauthorized actions. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to correctly implement the SameSite cookie directive, which should prevent malicious websites from making unauthorized requests using the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP cookies that control session state and user authentication within the pimCore platform. When the SameSite attribute is improperly configured or omitted entirely, attackers can leverage cross-site request forgery techniques to hijack user sessions or execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated users. This flaw directly relates to CWE-1215 which specifically addresses improper SameSite attribute handling in web applications, making it a direct violation of secure coding practices that should prevent session fixation and CSRF attacks. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to bypass the browser's built-in protections that are designed to prevent malicious sites from impersonating legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking to potentially enable full system compromise through arbitrary code execution. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the pimCore application with the privileges of authenticated users, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or complete service disruption. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that pimCore is a content management platform used for managing digital assets and product information, making the compromised system a valuable target for attackers seeking to access sensitive business data. The vulnerability's classification as a high-severity issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering and credential access methods that can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access within target environments.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-25240 must address both the immediate configuration issues and implement broader defensive measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should immediately update to the latest patched version of pimCore where the SameSite attribute implementation has been corrected, ensuring that all session cookies properly include the SameSite attribute with appropriate values such as 'Strict', 'Lax', or 'None' depending on the specific use case. Additionally, implementing comprehensive cookie security policies that enforce secure attribute settings including Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite flags will help prevent similar issues. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect and block suspicious cross-site request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough security testing of all web application components to verify that no other instances of improper SameSite attribute implementation exist within the application's codebase, as this vulnerability may indicate broader architectural issues that require systematic review and improvement of the application's security posture.