CVE-2022-28732 in JSPWiki
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2022
A carefully crafted request on WeblogPlugin could trigger an XSS vulnerability on Apache JSPWiki, which could allow the attacker to execute javascript in the victim's browser and get some sensitive information about the victim. Apache JSPWiki users should upgrade to 2.11.3 or later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28732 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the WeblogPlugin component of Apache JSPWiki, a widely used enterprise wiki platform. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the weblog plugin's handling of user-supplied data. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes requests containing maliciously crafted payloads that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser context. The affected version of Apache JSPWiki fails to implement adequate security controls to prevent malicious script execution, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this platform for collaborative documentation and knowledge management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are processed by the WeblogPlugin module. When a user submits a request containing malicious javascript code within the weblog entry fields or related parameters, the application fails to properly encode or escape the output before rendering it in the victim's browser. This allows an attacker to inject persistent or reflected javascript payloads that execute within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The attack vector typically involves social engineering tactics where victims are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised wiki pages that contain the injected scripts.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28732 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to comprehensive session hijacking and data exfiltration attacks. When successful, the injected javascript code can access and steal session cookies, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive wiki content, user accounts, and collaborative data. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform actions on behalf of users, including modifying wiki content, creating new pages, or accessing restricted information. This represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure where Apache JSPWiki serves as a central collaboration platform for business-critical documentation and knowledge sharing. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where wiki systems contain sensitive corporate information, intellectual property, or compliance-related data that could be compromised through unauthorized access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended mitigation strategy of upgrading to Apache JSPWiki version 2.11.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes. The upgrade process should be carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing wiki operations while addressing the security gap. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional defensive measures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks, particularly focusing on the manipulation of web applications to execute malicious code in user browsers. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their wiki infrastructure and monitor for potential exploitation attempts, while implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious activities related to the weblog plugin functionality.