CVE-2024-23725 in Ghost
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2024
Ghost before 5.76.0 allows XSS via a post excerpt in excerpt.js. An XSS payload can be rendered in post summaries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23725 affects the Ghost blogging platform version 5.76.0 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the excerpt.js component. This security weakness enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into post excerpts, which then get executed when users view post summaries or excerpts on the platform. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of user-provided content within the excerpt field, where insufficient input validation and output sanitization allow for the persistence and execution of malicious JavaScript code. The affected version range indicates that users operating Ghost versions prior to 5.76.0 remain at risk, making this a critical concern for organizations relying on older installations of the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user input in the excerpt field during the rendering process. When administrators or users create posts with malicious payloads in the excerpt section, these inputs are not adequately sanitized before being displayed in post summaries. This creates a persistent XSS vector where the malicious JavaScript code becomes part of the rendered HTML content and executes in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such attacks. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23725 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could steal administrator sessions, modify content, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the Ghost platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning because post excerpts are frequently displayed in various contexts such as dashboard summaries, search results, and feed displays, increasing the potential exposure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it allows for the delivery of malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate blog content. The risk is compounded by the fact that many Ghost installations may not have robust security monitoring in place to detect such attacks, making them particularly dangerous in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23725 primarily focus on immediate remediation through the upgrade to Ghost version 5.76.0 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to provide defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments of user input fields, particularly those used for content summaries and descriptions, should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Furthermore, security awareness training for content creators and administrators is essential to prevent the introduction of malicious payloads through compromised accounts or insider threats. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify similar issues in custom themes or extensions that interact with the excerpt functionality, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and related cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.