CVE-2024-41709 in Backdrop
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
Backdrop CMS before 1.27.3 and 1.28.x before 1.28.2 does not sufficiently sanitize field labels before they are displayed in certain places. This vulnerability is mitigated by the fact that an attacker must have a role with the "administer fields" permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
Backdrop CMS versions prior to 1.27.3 and 1.28.x versions before 1.28.2 contain a security flaw in their field label handling mechanism that fails to properly sanitize user-provided input before rendering it in web interfaces. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input sanitization and can be classified as CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting, specifically in the context of field label display. The flaw occurs when field labels containing malicious script content are processed and rendered without adequate HTML encoding or filtering, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers.
The vulnerability requires an attacker to possess the specific administrative permission known as "administer fields" which grants the ability to modify field configurations and labels within the CMS. This permission-based requirement significantly limits the attack surface as it prevents casual exploitation by unauthorized users who lack administrative privileges. However, the vulnerability remains a serious concern when considering insider threats or compromised administrative accounts. The attack vector typically involves an attacker with sufficient privileges creating or modifying field labels to include malicious script content that gets executed when the labels are displayed in administrative interfaces or user-facing forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation within the CMS environment. When field labels are displayed in administrative panels, user interface elements, or content management screens, the malicious scripts can capture user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or manipulate the CMS interface to hide or alter critical functionality. The vulnerability affects the core rendering pipeline of Backdrop CMS field management features, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management system. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where users have elevated privileges and can modify system configuration elements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the official patches released by Backdrop CMS for versions 1.27.3 and 1.28.2, which implement proper field label sanitization. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls and privilege management to minimize the risk of unauthorized users obtaining the "administer fields" permission. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, regular security audits of field configurations, and monitoring administrative activities for suspicious modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding techniques to prevent cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security assessments and adherence to the principle of least privilege are essential to maintaining the security posture of CMS environments and preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in field handling mechanisms.