CVE-2022-23620 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 AbstractSxExportURLFactoryActionHandler#processSx does not escape anything from SSX document references when serializing it on filesystem, it is possible to for the HTML export process to contain reference elements containing filesystem syntax like "../", "./". or "/" in general. The referenced elements are not properly escaped. This issue has been resolved in version 13.6-rc-1. This issue can be worked around by limiting or disabling document export.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-23620 affects the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built upon it. This security flaw resides in the AbstractSxExportURLFactoryActionHandler#processSx method which handles the serialization of SSX document references to the filesystem during HTML export processes. The vulnerability represents a path traversal and directory traversal issue that can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate file system access patterns. The flaw specifically occurs when the system fails to properly escape filesystem syntax elements such as "../", "./", or "/" characters that are present in document references during export operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the export functionality of XWiki Platform. When processing SSX document references, the system does not adequately sanitize or escape special filesystem characters that could be interpreted as directory navigation commands. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate document references to include traversal sequences that allow them to access files outside of the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when considering potential lateral movement or privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive files, configuration data, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the system configuration and file permissions. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can traverse the filesystem to access files that should normally be restricted, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where XWiki Platform is used for collaborative document management, content publishing, or enterprise wiki solutions where access controls are critical for maintaining information security.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to version 13.6-rc-1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper escaping of filesystem references during export processes. Until the official patch is applied, administrators can implement temporary workarounds such as limiting or disabling document export functionality entirely, restricting user permissions for export operations, or implementing additional input validation at the application level. Security teams should also monitor for any suspicious file access patterns or unauthorized export activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content that may be processed through multiple system components including file system operations and export functions.