Kentico Xperience 13 CMS Insecure Authentication Scanner

Kentico Xperience 13 CMS is a popular content management system used by organizations to manage and deliver digital content across multiple platforms. This software is utilized by web developers, digital marketers, and IT teams to create and manage websites with rich digital experiences. Its staging services facilitate deployment and synchronization across different server environments, essential for maintaining consistent content. The flexibility and robust architecture of Kentico CMS make it a top choice for enterprise-level website management. Businesses across various industries rely on Kentico Xperience to enhance their digital strategies and operations. The software is well-regarded for its comprehensive features that support customized workflows and seamless integrations.

The vulnerability in Kentico Xperience 13 CMS involves a weakness in the authentication process of its Staging Service. The flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication using any username on versions before Hotfix 173, and requires a valid Staging Service username on versions up to 178. This issue poses a significant security risk as it enables unauthorized access to the staging framework. Exploiting this, attackers can manipulate the deployment process, with potential impacts on the integrity and security of websites hosted on the platform. This insecure authentication vulnerability is a notable concern for system administrators and IT security personnel managing Kentico Xperience CMS environments. Timely identification and remediation are crucial to safeguard against potential data breaches.

Technical details of this vulnerability indicate that it occurs in the authentication mechanism of the Staging Service endpoint, specifically the ProcessSynchronizationTaskData SOAP method. The authentication bypass can be initiated by sending a specially crafted XML request that manipulates security tokens. The vulnerable endpoint is located at CMSPages/Staging/SyncServer.asmx and can be exploited by inserting random authentication parameters. This unauthorized access may lead to control over the staging synchronization tasks. The implementation flaw results from inadequate handling of security tokens, allowing attackers to gain illegitimate access. Effective detection and analysis of request and response patterns are necessary to identify this vulnerability.

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to staging environments, potentially resulting in manipulation of deployed content or staging processes. Malicious users could inject or alter data, disrupt web operations, and lead to unauthorized changes on live websites. Additionally, the organization's sensitive data may be exposed to attackers, leading to potential data breaches. Security lapses also risk reputational damage and could incur compliance penalties. Organizations may face disruptions in their content management lifecycle, impacting business operations and digital transformation efforts. Preventive measures, including security patches and authentication enhancements, are essential to defend against these adverse effects.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/kentico-xperience13-AuthBypass-wt-2025-0011