External risk intelligence

ButterCMS Arbitrary File Upload Executes Code

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2022-27260

ButterCMS is a headless content management system. These systems are commonly deployed as internet-facing web applications or APIs to deliver content, making the file upload component, which is used for managing media assets, frequently reachable from the public internet.

Unrestricted File Upload

Buttercms

1.2.8

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the file upload functionality of ButterCMS, a content management system. This flaw could allow unauthorized individuals to upload malicious files, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code on affected systems. The primary concern is to confirm if our organization utilizes this specific technology and is exposed.

  • Malicious file uploads can enable unauthorized code execution.
  • This vulnerability affects internet-facing content management systems.
  • Confirm relevance and exposure for this technology.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a specially crafted SVG file to the file upload component of ButterCMS. This could allow them to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise.

  • No authentication required.
  • Upload crafted SVG file.
  • Arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to upload and execute arbitrary code on the server by tricking the file upload component into processing a malicious SVG file. This could potentially impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

  • Server-side code execution.
  • Upload crafted SVG via network.
  • Compromise system and data.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Real-World Ownership: Given that ButterCMS is a content management system often deployed as an internet-facing application, the primary responsibility for addressing this vulnerability likely falls to the application owners and potentially the platform or infrastructure teams that manage its deployment. The first practical step is to locate all instances of ButterCMS, assess their exposure (especially the file upload component), and confirm if they are business-critical. Once identified, the accountable owner should be determined to plan a targeted remediation strategy.

  • Application owners must address the vulnerability.
  • Verify all ButterCMS instances and reachability.
  • Plan and coordinate remediation based on risk.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is ButterCMS?

ButterCMS is a headless content management system. Unlike traditional platforms, it is designed to manage media assets and content via APIs, allowing developers to integrate dynamic content into various types of websites and applications.

What does CVE-2022-27260 mean for security?

This vulnerability is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, classified as CWE-434. It means the software does not properly validate files before saving them, which can allow an attacker to upload a harmful script disguised as an image file and force the server to execute it.

How can an attacker trigger this bug?

An attacker triggers this by submitting a specially crafted SVG file through the platform's upload component. This vulnerability does not require the attacker to have user privileges or authentication. It is important to note that uploading standard, non-malicious image files does not trigger the execution of arbitrary code.

Why should I care about this if I use ButterCMS?

According to Halo Surface Signal, ButterCMS is typically deployed as an internet-facing application to serve web content, making its file upload components highly accessible. If your instance is reachable from the public internet, the lack of authentication requirements makes it a significant risk.

What should I do if I am running this technology?

First, identify all instances of ButterCMS within your environment to determine if they are business-critical. Once located, coordinate with your application and infrastructure teams to assess how these instances are deployed and reach the public internet, then prioritize remediation planning.

References