CVE-2022-23615 in XWiki
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. In affected versions any user with SCRIPT right can save a document with the right of the current user which allow accessing API requiring programming right if the current user has programming right. This has been patched in XWiki 13.0. Users are advised to update to resolve this issue. The only known workaround is to limit SCRIPT access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23615 affects the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built upon it. This platform serves as a foundation for numerous collaborative environments and content management systems, making its security implications significant for organizations relying on wiki-based collaboration. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the document saving functionality, creating a privilege escalation pathway that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw resides in how the XWiki Platform handles document saving operations when users possess SCRIPT rights. Specifically, users with SCRIPT permissions can save documents with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially bypassing intended access controls. This behavior creates a critical security gap where a user with limited SCRIPT rights can effectively gain access to programming-level capabilities if the current user context has programming rights. The vulnerability essentially allows for privilege escalation through document manipulation, exploiting the platform's permission model in an unexpected manner.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it could enable attackers to access API endpoints that require programming rights. This means that if a user with SCRIPT rights can manipulate documents to execute code or access restricted APIs, they could potentially compromise the entire platform. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, system manipulation, or further exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the platform. Organizations using XWiki platforms may face unauthorized access to sensitive information and system resources.
The vulnerability has been addressed in XWiki version 13.0, which includes proper access control mechanisms to prevent users from saving documents with elevated privileges. Security advisories recommend immediate upgrading to this patched version to eliminate the risk. Until such upgrades are possible, the recommended workaround involves restricting SCRIPT access permissions to minimize potential exploitation vectors. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging to detect any suspicious document manipulation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through improper permission handling. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically where adversaries leverage application-level flaws to gain elevated permissions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control checks within web applications, particularly in collaborative platforms where multiple user roles and permissions must be carefully managed. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing practices including privilege escalation testing to identify similar issues in their systems.