CVE-2024-10761 in Umbraco
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2024
A vulnerability was found in Umbraco CMS up to 10.7.7/12.3.6/13.5.2/14.3.1/15.1.1. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the file /Umbraco/preview/frame?id{} of the component Dashboard. The manipulation of the argument culture leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 10.8.8, 13.5.3, 14.3.2 and 15.1.2 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
This vulnerability exists within the Umbraco Content Management System where a cross-site scripting flaw has been identified in the preview frame functionality. The issue specifically affects the Dashboard component and manifests through the manipulation of the culture argument parameter within the URL structure. The vulnerable endpoint is located at /Umbraco/preview/frame?id{} which processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, representing a critical security weakness that allows malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web applications viewed by other users. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user.
The exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, meaning that malicious actors can trigger the XSS payload without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects multiple version ranges across different major releases of Umbraco CMS, specifically versions up to 10.7.7, 12.3.6, 13.5.2, 14.3.1, and 15.1.1. The disclosed exploit demonstrates that threat actors can leverage the culture parameter manipulation to inject malicious scripts that will execute when the preview frame loads. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves the use of malicious payloads delivered through web applications, specifically targeting the execution of arbitrary code in user browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive user data, or perform actions within the application that the user is authorized to perform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing affected Umbraco installations, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability affects the core dashboard functionality and preview capabilities that administrators and content creators rely upon, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire content management workflow. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive content, and potential compromise of user sessions. The vulnerability's classification as "problematic" indicates that it poses a substantial security risk that requires immediate attention and remediation. The fact that an exploit has been publicly disclosed further increases the urgency, as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical knowledge or custom development. This particular vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the input validation and output encoding mechanisms of the Umbraco preview system, highlighting the importance of proper sanitization of user-supplied parameters.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions 10.8.8, 13.5.3, 14.3.2, and 15.1.2 which contain the necessary security fixes to address the XSS vulnerability. This upgrade process should be prioritized across all affected environments, with particular attention to production systems where the vulnerability could be exploited to access sensitive content or user data. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the root cause by properly sanitizing the culture parameter and ensuring that user-supplied input cannot be executed as JavaScript code. Security teams should conduct comprehensive testing of the upgraded systems to verify that the vulnerability has been effectively remediated and that no regressions have been introduced. Organizations should also review their existing security monitoring and incident response procedures to ensure they can detect and respond to similar vulnerabilities in the future, implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms around potentially dangerous parameter usage patterns.