CVE-2024-13245 in CKEditor 4 LTS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Drupal CKEditor 4 LTS - WYSIWYG HTML editor allows Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).This issue affects CKEditor 4 LTS - WYSIWYG HTML editor: from 1.0.0 before 1.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13245 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Drupal CKEditor 4 LTS WYSIWYG HTML editor component. This flaw exists in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of CKEditor 4 LTS from 1.0.0 through but not including 1.0.1, indicating a targeted issue that was addressed in the subsequent patch release.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the editor's processing pipeline. When users create or edit content through the CKEditor interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into generated web pages. This oversight allows attackers to embed malicious script code within content that gets rendered on web pages, potentially executing unauthorized commands in the context of users' browsers. The vulnerability manifests as a classic XSS attack vector, where crafted input can bypass security controls designed to prevent script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious domains. In the context of Drupal implementations, this weakness could compromise entire content management systems where CKEditor is utilized for creating rich text content. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that CKEditor is widely used across numerous Drupal installations, making this vulnerability exploitable across a broad range of web applications. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, while threat actors may leverage techniques aligned with ATT&CK tactic T1566 related to spearphishing and initial access vectors.
Organizations utilizing affected CKEditor versions should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the patch released in version 1.0.1. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation measures, content security policies, and regular security assessments can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. System administrators should also consider deploying web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security controls in web application development environments to prevent unauthorized code execution and protect user data integrity.