CVE-2022-35590: ForkCMS XSS via `end_date` parameter

Background

ForkCMS is an open-source content management system (CMS) written in PHP. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing website content, including pages, menus, and modules. ForkCMS is widely used for building websites and web applications. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in version 5.9.3 that allows for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the end_date parameter. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the affected website, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities. The issue has been addressed in version 5.11.0, and users are strongly advised to update to the latest version to mitigate the risk.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in ForkCMS version 5.9.3 arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the end_date parameter. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the affected website. When a user visits a page or performs an action that triggers the vulnerable code, the injected code will be executed in the context of the user's browser, allowing the attacker to perform various malicious activities. This could include stealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal data, modifying the website's content, redirecting users to malicious websites, or performing actions on behalf of the user. The severity of the vulnerability is rated as MODERATE with a CVSS score of 4.8.

composer require forkcms/forkcms:5.11.0

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, users can manually sanitize and validate the end_date parameter before using it in any context that could be vulnerable to XSS attacks. This can be done by implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, such as using a secure coding framework or library that provides functions for escaping or filtering user input. Here is an example of how to sanitize the end_date parameter in PHP:

$end_date = htmlspecialchars($_GET['end_date'], ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');

Conclusion

The XSS vulnerability in ForkCMS version 5.9.3 poses a moderate risk to websites and web applications built on this CMS. It allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code and potentially compromise user data and website integrity. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 5.11.0 or later to mitigate the risk. Regularly checking for updates and implementing secure coding practices can help protect against similar vulnerabilities in the future. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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