CVE-2023-42627
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into multiple address fields in Liferay's Commerce module. When exploited, these stored XSS payloads execute in victims' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users, or performing actions on their behalf. Affected systems include Liferay Portal 7.3.5 through 7.4.3.91 and Liferay DXP 7.3 update 33 and earlier, and 7.4 before update 92.
💻 Affected Systems
- Liferay Portal
- Liferay DXP
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, gain administrative access to the portal, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy ransomware payloads to all users accessing affected pages.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies to hijack accounts, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the Commerce module.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized before execution, preventing any client-side impact.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires attacker to have access to create or modify Commerce orders/addresses; public proof-of-concept demonstrates injection into shipping/billing fields.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Liferay Portal 7.4.3.92+; Liferay DXP 7.4 update 92+; Liferay DXP 7.3 update 34+
Vendor Advisory: https://liferay.dev/portal/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/jekt/content/cve-2023-42627
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download appropriate patch from Liferay customer portal. 2. Apply patch following Liferay's patching procedures. 3. Restart Liferay instance. 4. Verify fix by checking version and testing address field inputs.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allImplement server-side input validation to sanitize special characters in address fields before storage.
Implement custom portlet filter or hook to sanitize: <, >, &, ", ', /, (, ), {, }, [, ], ;, =, +
Content Security Policy
allDeploy strict Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution from untrusted sources.
Add to web.xml or server config: Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval';
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or restrict access to Commerce module for untrusted users
- Implement WAF rules to block XSS payloads in address field parameters
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test by entering <script>alert('XSS')</script> into any shipping/billing address field and checking if script executes when page reloads.Check Version:
Check Liferay Control Panel → Configuration → Server Administration → System Information for version detailsVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, attempt same XSS payload; script should be properly encoded/escaped in output.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual length or special characters in address field submissions
- Multiple failed validation attempts on Commerce forms
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing script tags in address parameters
- Unusual outbound connections after address form submissions
SIEM Query:
source="liferay.log" AND ("shipping" OR "billing") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")🔗 References
- https://liferay.dev/portal/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/jekt/content/cve-2023-42627
- https://www.pentagrid.ch/en/blog/stored-cross-site-scripting-vulnerabilities-in-liferay-portal/
- https://liferay.dev/portal/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/jekt/content/cve-2023-42627
- https://www.pentagrid.ch/en/blog/stored-cross-site-scripting-vulnerabilities-in-liferay-portal/
