CVE-2023-28471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a vulnerability found in Concrete CMS (previously concrete5) versions 9.0 through 9.1.3, exposing it to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via a container name.

Understanding CVE-2023-28471

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28471, highlighting the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28471?

CVE-2023-28471 is a vulnerability identified in Concrete CMS versions 9.0 through 9.1.3 that allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through a malicious container name. This can enable threat actors to execute scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28471

The impact of CVE-2023-28471 can be severe as it opens up the possibility of attackers injecting harmful scripts into the CMS platform, compromising user data, session cookies, and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28471

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28471, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Concrete CMS versions 9.0 through 9.1.3 allows for the execution of malicious scripts through a crafted container name, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Concrete CMS versions 9.0 through 9.1.3 are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, making users of these versions susceptible to exploitation if not addressed promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-28471 involves crafting a container name with malicious script content, which, when processed by the vulnerable CMS versions, can result in the execution of the injected code within the user's browser environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28471, including immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Concrete CMS versions 9.0 through 9.1.3 are advised to update to a patched version, if available, to address the vulnerability promptly. Additionally, implementing input validation and encoding practices can help in preventing XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, maintaining regular software updates, conducting security assessments, and educating users on secure coding practices can help in enhancing the overall security posture of the CMS platform.

Patching and Updates

Concrete CMS users should regularly check for security advisories and updates from the official sources to stay informed about patches addressing CVE-2023-28471. Timely application of updates is crucial in mitigating the risk of exploitation.