CVE-2022-41934 in XWiki Platform Menu UI
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2022
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Any user with view rights on commonly accessible documents including the menu macro can execute arbitrary Groovy, Python or Velocity code in XWiki leading to full access to the XWiki installation due to improper escaping of the macro content and parameters of the menu macro. The problem has been patched in XWiki 14.6RC1, 13.10.8 and 14.4.3. The patch (commit `2fc20891`) for the document `Menu.MenuMacro` can be manually applied or a XAR archive of a patched version can be imported. The menu macro was basically unchanged since XWiki 11.6 so on XWiki 11.6 or later the patch for version of 13.10.8 (commit `59ccca24a`) can most likely be applied, on XWiki version 14.0 and later the versions in XWiki 14.6 and 14.4.3 should be appropriate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-41934 represents a critical server-side code execution flaw in the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built on top of it. This vulnerability specifically affects the Menu macro functionality within XWiki's macro system, where users with merely view rights on commonly accessible documents can exploit improper escaping mechanisms to execute arbitrary code in multiple scripting languages including Groovy, Python, and Velocity. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of macro content and parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain full administrative access to the XWiki installation. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-74 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1059.002 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," though the specific execution occurs through XWiki's macro processing engine rather than direct shell commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental design flaw in how XWiki processes macro parameters within the Menu macro component. When users with view permissions access documents containing the menu macro, the system fails to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently processed by the underlying scripting engines. This improper escaping allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the XWiki server, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all versions of XWiki from 11.6 onwards, making it particularly widespread across the user base. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges - users only need view rights on accessible documents, which are commonly granted to ensure basic wiki functionality and navigation. This makes the vulnerability exploitable by a broad range of potential attackers including malicious insiders or users who have gained access to publicly accessible wiki content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, potentially leading to complete compromise of the XWiki installation and all associated data. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the XWiki server process, which typically has extensive access to the underlying system resources, databases, and file systems. This can result in data exfiltration, system takeover, lateral movement within the network, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple XWiki versions means that organizations with older installations face significant risk, particularly those that have not kept their platforms updated. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential regulatory compliance violations, business disruption, and reputational damage. Organizations relying on XWiki for collaborative content management, documentation systems, or enterprise knowledge bases face the highest risk, as these systems often contain sensitive corporate information and may be integrated with other business-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41934 should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected XWiki versions, with specific attention to the recommended versions 14.6RC1, 13.10.8, and 14.4.3 that contain the necessary fixes. The patch implementation involves applying the specific commit references mentioned in the advisory, particularly commit 2fc20891 for the Menu.MenuMacro document, or importing the patched XAR archive. For organizations unable to immediately upgrade to the latest versions, manual patch application of commit 59ccca24a for versions 13.10.8 and later can provide temporary protection. Security teams should also implement additional defensive measures including monitoring for unusual macro usage patterns, restricting access to macro editing capabilities, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected XWiki versions and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is properly addressed. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in the future.