CVE-2023-48650 : What You Need to Know

Concrete CMS before 8.5.14 and 9 before 9.2.3 is vulnerable to an admin adding a stored XSS payload via the Layout Preset name.

Understanding CVE-2023-48650

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Concrete CMS versions prior to 8.5.14 and 9 before 9.2.3 that could allow an admin to inject a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) payload using the Layout Preset name.

What is CVE-2023-48650?

CVE-2023-48650 pertains to a security flaw in Concrete CMS that enables an attacker with admin privileges to insert malicious XSS code through the Layout Preset name, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48650

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the user's session, leading to account compromise, data theft, or other security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48650

In this section, we delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, its affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated admin to embed a malicious XSS payload in the Layout Preset name field, which, when executed, can result in unauthorized script execution and potential compromise of user data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Concrete CMS versions before 8.5.14 and 9 before 9.2.3 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing systems that have not applied the necessary security updates to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with admin access can input a crafted XSS payload in the Layout Preset name, which, when processed, could lead to the execution of malicious scripts within the application, compromising user data and system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-48650 and enhance system security, immediate action and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Concrete CMS to versions 8.5.14 or 9.2.3, which contain fixes for the XSS vulnerability.
Educate administrators on secure coding practices to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user inputs to detect and mitigate XSS vulnerabilities.
Implement content security policy (CSP) directives to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed on security advisories and apply patches promptly to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure the security of CMS installations.