CVE-2023-33194 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2023-33194 addressing stored XSS vulnerability in CraftCMS Quick Post widget. Find details, impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
CraftCMS stored XSS in Quick Post widget error message
Understanding CVE-2023-33194
Craft CMS is a platform used for creating custom digital experiences on the web. This CVE addresses a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Quick Post widget's error message.
What is CVE-2023-33194?
CraftCMS did not properly filter input and encode output in the Quick Post validation error message, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts. While a previous CVE addressed XSS in label HTML, this particular issue persisted when saving, posing a security risk.
The Impact of CVE-2023-33194
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-33194
CraftCMS version 4.4.6 includes a patch to mitigate this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw allowed malicious actors to inject XSS payloads through the Quick Post widget error message due to improper input validation.
Affected Systems and Versions
CraftCMS versions >= 4.0.0-RC1 and < 4.4.6 as well as versions >= 3.0.0 and <= 3.8.5 are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting and submitting malicious scripts within the error message field, which would then be executed in the context of the user's session.
Mitigation and Prevention
CraftCMS users are advised to take immediate action to secure their systems.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade to CraftCMS version 4.4.6 to apply the necessary security patch.
- Review and sanitize user input to prevent XSS injection vulnerabilities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update CraftCMS to the latest version to ensure all known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
- Implement input validation and output encoding best practices to mitigate XSS risks.
Patching and Updates
CraftCMS released version 4.4.6 to address this vulnerability. Users should prioritize updating their installations to this patched version.