CVE-2022-38147: Silverstripe silverstripe/framework through 4.11 allows XSS (issue 3 of 3) - Exploit Details, Code Snippet, and Recommended Actions

In this deep-dive, we will discuss the latest vulnerability affecting the Silverstripe silverstripe/framework, tagged with the identifier CVE-2022-38147. This vulnerability has been identified in versions up until 4.11 of the framework, allowing cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and posing a significant risk to users' privacy and sensitive data. We will explore the exploit details, provide code snippets to demonstrate the problem, and link to original references for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Furthermore, we will suggest recommended actions for developers to take to secure their applications.

Exploit Details

Cross-site scripting, or XSS, is a common web application vulnerability where an attacker can inject malicious scripts into trusted websites. These scripts are executed by the victim’s browser, potentially stealing sensitive data, session cookies, or redirecting the user to malicious sites. In the context of CVE-2022-38147, the Silverstripe Framework is susceptible to XSS attacks, as it fails to properly sanitize user input under certain conditions.

The XSS vulnerability exists in the GridField and TextField components, wherein user-controlled input is not properly sanitized before being echoed back in HTML output. As a result, an attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into these components, leading to the execution of malicious scripts when the affected pages are viewed by unsuspecting users.

Code Snippet

To demonstrate the vulnerability, let us consider the following code snippets that use GridField and TextField components in a Silverstripe application:

GridField component

use SilverStripe\Forms\GridField\GridField;
...

$gridField = new GridField(
    'ExampleGrid',
    'Example Grid',
    ExampleDataObject::get(),
    GridFieldConfig_RecordEditor::create()
);

TextField component

use SilverStripe\Forms\TextField;
...

$textField = TextField::create('Title', 'Title');

In both cases, if an attacker can control the data inserted into these components, the application becomes vulnerable to XSS attacks.

To learn more about CVE-2022-38147, you can refer to the following sources

1. CVE-2022-38147 on the CVE List
2. Silverstripe Framework GitHub Issue
3. NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Entry

Recommended Actions

To protect your application against the risks associated with CVE-2022-38147, you should take the following steps:

1. Update your Silverstripe Framework to the latest version: The Silverstripe team has released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Ensure you update your application to version 4.11. or later.
  - Check the Silverstripe Official Release Notes for details on updating.

2. Sanitize user inputs: Always validate and sanitize user-provided data before storing it or echoing it back in the HTML output of your application.

3. Utilize Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a strong Content Security Policy to limit the execution of inline scripts on your website, reducing the impact of XSS vulnerabilities.

4. Regularly review and audit your application's code: Regularly perform code reviews, vulnerability assessments, and penetration tests to ensure the continued security of your application and its underlying infrastructure.

In Conclusion

In this post, we discussed the details surrounding CVE-2022-38147, a critical XSS vulnerability in Silverstripe silverstripe/framework through version 4.11. By understanding the exploit, applying recommended actions, and staying informed about potential risks, developers can better secure their applications and protect users' privacy and data.

Timeline

Published on: 11/23/2022 03:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/30/2022 14:53:00 UTC