CVE-2024-25601 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2024
Stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Expando module's geolocation custom fields in Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.2, and older unsupported versions, and Liferay DXP 7.3 before service pack 3, 7.2 before fix pack 17, and older unsupported versions allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the name text field of a geolocation custom field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Expando module's geolocation custom fields implementation in Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions ranging from 7.2.0 through 7.4.2, along with older unsupported releases. The flaw specifically affects the handling of user input in the name text field of geolocation custom fields, where insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms fail to properly sanitize malicious payloads. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which represents one of the most prevalent web application security flaws. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then stored within the application's database and subsequently executed when the geolocation field data is rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the geolocation custom field name field. When other users view pages containing the maliciously crafted geolocation data, their browsers execute the injected scripts within the context of the vulnerable application. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is injected, it remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1531 - Account Access Removal and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as this vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation. Attackers can craft payloads that exploit the stored XSS to capture cookies, perform cross-site request forgery attacks, or redirect victims to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the trusted Liferay environment. The vulnerability affects both Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP installations, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these platforms in enterprise environments. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security updates. The recommended approach involves applying the latest service packs and fix packs provided by Liferay, implementing strict input sanitization for all user-controllable fields, and employing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Liferay installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within their custom modules and extensions.