CVE-2023-42497 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability on the Export for Translation page in Liferay Portal 7.4.3.4 through 7.4.3.85, and Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 86 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the `_com_liferay_translation_web_internal_portlet_TranslationPortlet_redirect` parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Export for Translation functionality of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions ranging from 7.4.3.4 through 7.4.3.85 and all prior versions of Liferay DXP 7.4 before update 86. The flaw specifically affects the TranslationPortlet component where the `_com_liferay_translation_web_internal_portlet_TranslationPortlet_redirect` parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web response. This parameter is typically used to redirect users after completing a translation export process, but attackers can manipulate this input to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic reflected XSS pattern where malicious input travels from the attacker to the victim's browser through a web application's output mechanism. When a user accesses a specially crafted URL containing malicious script within the redirect parameter, the application reflects this script back in the HTTP response without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser of authenticated users who visit the malicious link, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application context. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify Existing Service' as attackers could potentially use this to manipulate application behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the Liferay environment. An attacker could craft malicious links that, when clicked by authenticated users, would execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability affects the translation export functionality which is commonly used by administrators and content managers, making it a prime target for exploitation. Given that Liferay Portal and DXP are widely deployed enterprise content management systems, the potential attack surface is extensive. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can deliver payloads through email, web forums, or any medium where users might be tricked into clicking malicious links, making this a persistent threat that requires immediate attention.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all parameters used in the translation export functionality. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out or encodes potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and script tags. Additionally, developers should implement proper output encoding for all parameters before rendering them in web responses, particularly those used for redirect functionality. The most effective long-term solution is to upgrade to Liferay DXP 7.4 Update 86 or later versions where this vulnerability has been patched. Security teams should also implement content security policies that restrict script execution and monitor for suspicious redirect parameter usage. Organizations should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify other potential reflected XSS vulnerabilities within their Liferay deployments and ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated and sanitized throughout the application. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper parameter validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous redirect parameters can become security risks when not properly secured.