CVE-2024-38723 in JSON Content Importer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Bernhard Kux JSON Content Importer.This issue affects JSON Content Importer: from n/a through 1.5.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The CVE-2024-38723 vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Bernhard Kux JSON Content Importer plugin, a component commonly used in content management systems and web applications. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the importer functionality to make unintended server-side requests to arbitrary destinations, potentially enabling unauthorized access to internal network resources or sensitive data. The affected version range spans from the initial release through version 1.5.6, indicating a prolonged period during which systems utilizing this plugin remained susceptible to exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of JSON content imports where external URLs or endpoints are processed without proper validation or sanitization.
The technical implementation of this SSRF vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the JSON content importer's request processing logic. When the plugin receives JSON data containing external references or endpoints, it fails to properly validate or restrict the destinations to which requests can be made. This flaw enables attackers to craft malicious JSON payloads that instruct the importer to connect to internal network services, external malicious servers, or sensitive endpoints that should not be accessible through the normal import workflow. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied JSON content that includes URLs or endpoints, bypassing standard network security controls and potentially exposing internal systems to unauthorized access attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attack vectors within compromised environments. Attackers could leverage the SSRF vulnerability to perform internal network reconnaissance, access internal services that are not directly exposed to the internet, or even attempt to bypass firewalls and other network security controls. This capability significantly increases the attack surface for systems running vulnerable versions of the JSON Content Importer plugin. The vulnerability can also be chained with other exploits to create more severe consequences, such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. Organizations using this plugin may experience unauthorized access to internal databases, service endpoints, or other sensitive resources that should remain protected from external or unauthorized access attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38723 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest available version that addresses the SSRF vulnerability. System administrators should implement network-level restrictions to prevent outbound connections from the affected servers to internal services, particularly those that are not publicly required. Input validation should be strengthened to ensure that any external URLs or endpoints within JSON content are properly sanitized and validated against a whitelist of approved destinations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or similar security controls to detect and block suspicious request patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services through server-side request forgery attacks. Regular security assessments and monitoring of plugin usage should be implemented to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure ongoing protection against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system.