CVE-2023-3822 in pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Reflected in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.6.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2026
Cross site scripting vulnerability in pimcore pimcore prior to version 10.6.4 represents a critical security flaw that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code into web applications. This vulnerability specifically affects the reflected cross-site scripting category where user input is directly echoed back to users without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The flaw exists in the application's handling of HTTP request parameters that are subsequently rendered in web responses, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the pimcore framework. When user-supplied data enters the application through query parameters or form inputs, it flows directly into HTML response content without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that when executed in a victim's browser can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of the user. The reflected nature means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly challenging to detect through traditional security scanning methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access patterns within the application environment, potentially escalating privileges or accessing restricted administrative functions. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the affected pimcore applications, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may be exposed simultaneously. Organizations utilizing pimcore for content management, e-commerce platforms, or customer data management systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential system compromise.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including input validation at all entry points, proper output encoding for web content, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The recommended solution involves upgrading to pimcore version 10.6.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved sanitization mechanisms and enhanced parameter handling procedures. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, using secure coding practices that follow owasp top ten guidelines, and conducting regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom application extensions. Organizations should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual traffic patterns or potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.
This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwes 79 and 80, which specifically address cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. From an attack framework perspective, it maps to techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and execution phases where adversaries establish footholds through web-based attacks. The remediation process should follow industry standards including secure coding practices, regular security updates, and comprehensive vulnerability assessment procedures to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.