CVE-2022-29161 in XWiki Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. The XWiki Crypto API will generate X509 certificates signed by default using SHA1 with RSA, which is not considered safe anymore for use in certificate signatures, due to the risk of collisions with SHA1. The problem has been patched in XWiki version 13.10.6, 14.3.1 and 14.4-rc-1. Since then, the Crypto API will generate X509 certificates signed by default using SHA256 with RSA. Administrators are advised to upgrade their XWiki installation to one of the patched versions. If the upgrade is not possible, it is possible to patch the module xwiki-platform-crypto in a local installation by applying the change exposed in 26728f3 and re-compiling the module.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2022
The CVE-2022-29161 vulnerability affects the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built upon it. This security flaw resides within the XWiki Crypto API component, which is responsible for generating X509 certificates for various cryptographic operations within the platform. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the platform's certificate generation mechanisms, as it defaults to using the deprecated SHA1 hashing algorithm for signing certificates. This practice creates significant security risks that directly contradict modern cryptographic standards and best practices. The issue impacts organizations relying on XWiki for content management and collaboration, particularly those requiring secure certificate-based authentication and data integrity mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the XWiki Crypto API's implementation of default certificate signing parameters that utilize SHA1 with RSA encryption. This configuration violates established security guidelines and industry standards, as SHA1 has been demonstrated to be vulnerable to collision attacks since 2005, with practical attacks becoming feasible by 2017. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials storage and T1552.004 for credentials in files. The cryptographic weakness creates opportunities for attackers to forge certificates, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and compromise of the platform's integrity. The vulnerability exists because the API does not enforce the use of stronger hashing algorithms like SHA256 or SHA384, which are currently recommended for certificate signatures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness, affecting the overall security posture of XWiki installations that have not been upgraded. Organizations using affected versions face potential certificate forgery scenarios where attackers could exploit SHA1 collision vulnerabilities to create fraudulent certificates that would be accepted by the system. This risk is particularly concerning for enterprise deployments where XWiki serves as a foundation for business applications requiring secure communication channels. The vulnerability also affects the platform's compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 14443, which mandate the use of cryptographically strong algorithms. Additionally, the issue impacts organizations subject to regulatory requirements like PCI DSS, which explicitly prohibits the use of SHA1 for certificate signatures, potentially leading to compliance violations and audit failures.
The remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of XWiki Platform, specifically versions 13.10.6, 14.3.1, or 14.4-rc-1, where the Crypto API has been updated to default to SHA256 with RSA for certificate signing. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing stronger cryptographic standards that align with current security recommendations. For organizations unable to perform immediate upgrades, a manual patching approach is available through modification of the xwiki-platform-crypto module, specifically applying the changes referenced in commit 26728f3 and recompiling the affected component. The patched implementation ensures that X509 certificates generated by the Crypto API meet modern cryptographic requirements and maintain the platform's security integrity. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any existing certificates generated with the vulnerable configuration and consider revocation or replacement of affected certificates to maintain system security.