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Cross-site Scripting occurrences in October
October is a free, open-source, self-hosted CMS platform based on the Laravel PHP Framework. In October CMS from version 1.0.319 and before version 1.0.469, backend users with access to upload files were permitted to upload SVG files without any sanitization applied to the uploaded files. Since SVG files support being parsed as HTML by browsers, this means that they could theoretically upload Javascript that would be executed on a path under the website's domain (i.e. /storage/app/media/evil.svg), but they would have to convince their target to visit that location directly in the target's browser as the backend does not display SVGs inline anywhere, SVGs are only displayed as image resources in the backend and are thus unable to be executed. Issue has been patched in Build 469 (v1.0.469) & v1.1.0. (2020-11-23, CVE-2020-15249)
In October from version 1.0.319 and before version 1.0.466, a user with access to a markdown FormWidget that stores data persistently could create a stored XSS attack against themselves and any other users with access to the generated HTML from the field. This has been fixed in 1.0.466. For users of the RainLab.Blog plugin, this has also been fixed in 1.4.1. (2020-07-14, CVE-2020-11083)
In October from version 1.0.319 and before version 1.0.467, pasting content copied from malicious websites into the Froala richeditor could result in a successful self-XSS attack. This has been fixed in 1.0.467. (2020-07-02, CVE-2020-4061)
In OctoberCMS (october/october composer package) versions from 1.0.319 and before 1.0.466, a user with the ability to use the import functionality of the `ImportExportController` behavior can be socially engineered by an attacker to upload a maliciously crafted CSV file which could result in a reflected XSS attack on the user in question Issue has been patched in Build 466 (v1.0.466). (2020-06-03, CVE-2020-5298)
October CMS version prior to build 437 contains a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Media module and create folder functionality that can result in an Authenticated user with media module permission creating arbitrary folder name with XSS content. This attack appear to be exploitable via an Authenticated user with media module permission who can create arbitrary folder name (XSS). This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in build 437. (2018-07-23, CVE-2018-1999008)
October CMS through 1.0.431 allows XSS by entering HTML on the Add Posts page. (2018-02-18, CVE-2018-7198)
Why Cross-site Scripting can be dangerous
Cross site scripting is an attack where a web page executes code that is injected by an adversary. It usually appears, when users input is presented. This attack can be used to impersonate a user, take over control of the session, or even steal API keys.
The attack can be executed e.g. when you application injects the request parameter directly into the HTML code of the page returned to the user:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=Transaction+Complete
what results in:
<span>Confirmation: Transaction Complete</span>
In that case the message can be modified to become a valid Javascript code, e.g.:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=<script>dangerous javascript code here</script>
and it will be executed locally by the user's browser with full access to the user's personal application/browser data:
<span>Confirmation: <script>dangerous javascript code here</script></span>