CVE-2025-41051 in CMF
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
A vulnerability has been discovered in appRain CMF version 4.0.5, consisting of a stored authenticated XSS due to a lack of proper validation of user input, through the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters in /apprain/developer/addons/update/bootstrap.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
This vulnerability exists within appRain CMF version 4.0.5 where an authenticated user can inject malicious javascript code through the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters in the bootstrap update endpoint. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability is classified as a stored cross-site scripting attack because the malicious payload is permanently stored within the application's database and subsequently executed whenever the affected parameters are rendered in the user interface. This represents a critical security weakness that directly violates CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly escape output data, allowing attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The vulnerability operates through the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves the use of malicious content in web applications to execute unauthorized code in user browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with access to the developer section to manipulate the application's layout configurations through the bootstrap update mechanism. When the application processes the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters, it fails to sanitize the input, permitting attackers to inject javascript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The attack requires the attacker to possess valid authentication credentials and administrative privileges within the appRain CMF environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once the malicious input is accepted and saved, it will persistently affect all users who encounter the affected content, making the impact particularly severe for applications with multiple users or administrators. This weakness is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerable endpoint is part of the core developer functionality, suggesting that attackers with access to this area could potentially compromise the entire application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. An attacker could craft payloads to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, modify application behavior, or even inject additional malicious code to escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data since attackers can manipulate the layout configurations to hide or display malicious content. The stored nature of the attack means that it could remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the system. This vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application handles sensitive data or user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper escaping and filtering techniques before storing or rendering any data. The application should implement strict validation of the 'data[Addon][layouts]' and 'data[Addon][layouts_except]' parameters to ensure they contain only expected data types and formats. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and implement proper access controls to ensure that only authorized administrators can modify layout configurations. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input parameters. The fix should also include implementing proper logging and monitoring for suspicious activities related to the bootstrap update functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The solution must address the root cause by ensuring that all user input is properly validated and sanitized according to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.