CVE-2023-46744 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A critical Stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability has been discovered in Squidex, an open-source headless CMS and content management hub, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges of authenticated users.

Understanding CVE-2023-46744

In this section, we will explore the details of CVE-2023-46744 and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-46744?

CVE-2023-46744 refers to a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Squidex. This vulnerability enables privilege escalation of authenticated users, posing a serious security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2023-46744

The vulnerability allows authenticated adversaries with specific permissions to upload a malicious SVG asset, potentially targeting any registered user of Squidex CMS. By exploiting this flaw, attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript code, leading to severe consequences.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-46744

Let's dive deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-46744 to understand how this vulnerability operates.

Vulnerability Description

In affected versions of Squidex, a stored XSS vulnerability exists due to an insufficient SVG element filtering mechanism. This flaw allows attackers to bypass security checks and execute malicious scripts through uploaded SVG images, compromising the integrity of the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability affects Squidex versions prior to 7.9.0. Users operating on these versions are at risk of exploitation and should take immediate action to mitigate the threat.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated adversaries with the "assets.create" permission can exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious SVG asset containing arbitrary JavaScript code. The flaw lies in the inadequate validation logic that fails to detect malicious HTML elements, enabling attackers to perform privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from CVE-2023-46744 and similar security risks, it is crucial to implement the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Squidex to version 7.9.0 or above, where the vulnerability has been patched.
Restrict access to the CMS and review permissions assigned to users to prevent unauthorized uploads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate CMS contributors and administrators about secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates released by Squidex to ensure that your system is protected against known vulnerabilities.