CVE-2023-2817 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-2817 article focuses on a post-authentication stored cross-site scripting vulnerability found in Craft CMS versions up to and including 4.4.11. The vulnerability allows the injection of HTML, including script tags, into field names. When these manipulated fields are added to a category or section, malicious scripts can trigger when users visit the corresponding pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-2817

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-2817 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-2817?

CVE-2023-2817 is a post-authentication stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects Craft CMS versions up to and including 4.4.11. It allows threat actors to inject malicious HTML, including script tags, into field names, leading to potential script execution when users access specific pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2817

The impact of CVE-2023-2817 is significant as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected website. This could result in compromising user data, theft of sensitive information, or other malicious actions, posing a risk to both the website owners and visitors.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2817

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2817 to better understand its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Craft CMS versions up to 4.4.11 allows the insertion of HTML, including script tags, into field names. When these compromised fields are added to categories or sections, the injected scripts are triggered when users access the corresponding pages, leading to potential cross-site scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system in this CVE is Craft CMS, specifically versions prior or equal to version 4.4.11. Users utilizing these versions are vulnerable to the post-authentication stored cross-site scripting exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-2817 involves injecting malicious HTML, including script tags, into field names within Craft CMS. This manipulated field, when added to categories or sections, triggers the execution of the injected scripts when users visit the respective pages, allowing threat actors to initiate cross-site scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here, we discuss steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-2817 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should upgrade Craft CMS to a version beyond 4.4.11 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit fields and input validation to detect and prevent unauthorized script injections.
Implement content security policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of scripts from unauthorized sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Craft CMS to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct regular security assessments, including penetration testing, to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate developers and website administrators on secure coding practices and the risks associated with cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Craft CMS users should install the latest available updates and patches provided by the software vendor to address CVE-2023-2817 and other potential security issues. Regularly updating the CMS ensures that known vulnerabilities are mitigated and reduces the risk of exploitation.