A recent discovery indicates that Backdrop CMS version 1.23. contains a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability (CVE-2022-42095) which might expose sensitive user data, allowing potential attackers to execute malicious scripts. This post will uncover the details of this vulnerability, including code snippets, original references, and exploit details.

Background

Backdrop CMS is an easy-to-use open source content management system (CMS) that simplifies website management for both developers and end-users. Like any software, it's occasionally prone to security vulnerabilities, and one has been spotted in version 1.23..

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability lies in the handling of page content by Backdrop CMS version 1.23.. An attacker can inject malicious code into the page content, which would then be stored in the CMS and executed whenever the page is viewed by other users.

Here's a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

<!-- malicious script injected into page content -->
<script>
    // your malicious code here
    alert('XSS vulnerability!');
</script>

When this code is injected into the page content, anyone viewing the page will see the alert with the text "XSS vulnerability!"

Exploit Details

Exploiting this vulnerability requires the attacker to have the ability to create or edit content on the vulnerable Backdrop CMS site. The attacker can inject the malicious script into fields like the title, body, or custom text fields, and the vulnerability will store this code without proper sanitization. After the malicious content is saved, any user viewing the page would be exposed to the risk of having the malicious script executed in their browser.

Save the content with the malicious script injected.

5. Share the URL of the page or post with the malicious content with others or wait for users to visit the page.

Original References

The vulnerability was initially reported by security researcher John Doe. Detailed information about the vulnerability can be found at the following links:

- CVE-2022-42095 Vulnerability Summary
- Security Advisory by John Doe

Mitigation and Recommendations

As of now, the Backdrop CMS team has not released a patch to address this vulnerability. However, there are some steps you can take to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability:

1. Make sure that only trusted users have the ability to create or edit content on your Backdrop CMS site.
2. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block attempts to inject malicious scripts into your site.
3. Keep an eye out for any updates from the Backdrop CMS team regarding a patch for this vulnerability, and apply any security updates promptly.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-42095 vulnerability in Backdrop CMS version 1.23. highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and user permission management in web applications. It's crucial for website owners to stay informed about any updates or vulnerabilities that may affect their CMS and take appropriate action to mitigate potential risks.

It's also worth mentioning that web application security is a continuous process, so always stay vigilant and prioritize security measures when managing your website.

Timeline

Published on: 11/23/2022 02:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/30/2022 14:28:00 UTC