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Advanced Content Filter (ACF) vulnerability allowing to execute JavaScript code using malformed HTML

High severity GitHub Reviewed Published Nov 17, 2021 in ckeditor/ckeditor4 • Updated Jan 27, 2023

Package

npm ckeditor4 (npm)

Affected versions

< 4.17.0

Patched versions

4.17.0

Description

Affected packages

The vulnerability has been discovered in the Advanced Content Filter (ACF) module and may affect all plugins used by CKEditor 4.

Impact

A potential vulnerability has been discovered in CKEditor 4 Advanced Content Filter (ACF) core module. The vulnerability allowed to inject malformed HTML bypassing content sanitization, which could result in executing JavaScript code. It affects all users using the CKEditor 4 at version < 4.17.0.

Patches

The problem has been recognized and patched. The fix will be available in version 4.17.0.

For more information

Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments about this advisory.

Acknowledgements

The CKEditor 4 team would like to thank Maurice Dauer (laytonctf) for recognizing and reporting this vulnerability.

References

@jacekbogdanski jacekbogdanski published to ckeditor/ckeditor4 Nov 17, 2021
Published by the National Vulnerability Database Nov 17, 2021
Reviewed Nov 17, 2021
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database Nov 17, 2021
Last updated Jan 27, 2023

Severity

High

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L

EPSS score

Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

This score estimates the probability of this vulnerability being exploited within the next 30 days. Data provided by FIRST.
(16th percentile)

Weaknesses

Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. Learn more on MITRE.

CVE ID

CVE-2021-41164

GHSA ID

GHSA-pvmx-g8h5-cprj

Source code

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