CVE-2023-24323 in Mojoportal
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2023
Mojoportal v2.7 was discovered to contain an authenticated XML external entity (XXE) injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-24323 represents a critical authenticated XML external entity injection flaw discovered in Mojoportal version 2.7. This vulnerability resides within the content management system's processing of XML data, specifically when handling user-supplied input through authenticated administrative interfaces. The flaw allows an attacker with valid credentials to manipulate XML parsing mechanisms and potentially execute malicious external entity references. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-611 which specifically addresses XML external entity injection vulnerabilities, making it a direct descendant of well-known XML parsing security issues that have plagued web applications for decades. This particular weakness demonstrates how even seemingly benign XML processing functionality can become a gateway for more serious exploitation when proper input validation and entity resolution controls are absent.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs through authenticated administrative sessions where attackers can submit specially crafted XML content that references external resources or executes malicious payloads. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize XML input during processing, allowing attackers to leverage the XML parser's ability to resolve external entities. When an attacker with valid administrative credentials submits malformed XML data, the parser attempts to resolve external references that could point to internal network resources, external malicious servers, or enable data exfiltration. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in administrative contexts because it can be leveraged to escalate privileges, access sensitive system information, or potentially establish persistent access to the underlying infrastructure. The attack vector is classified under the ATT&CK framework as T1059.007 for XML External Entity Injection, which specifically targets parsing mechanisms within web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-24323 extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance on internal network resources that would normally be isolated from external access. An authenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to map internal network topology, access internal services, or even trigger remote code execution depending on the application's configuration and the XML parser's capabilities. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that only users with legitimate administrative credentials can exploit it, but this still represents a significant risk as it can be combined with other credential compromise techniques or social engineering attacks. Organizations running Mojoportal 2.7 are particularly vulnerable because the flaw exists in the core content management functionality that processes user-generated content and administrative data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain deeper system access. The impact is amplified by the fact that administrative interfaces typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data, making this vulnerability a critical concern for organizations with substantial administrative user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-24323 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Mojoportal that properly handles XML entity resolution and implements input validation controls. Organizations should also implement strict XML parsing configurations that disable external entity resolution and DTD processing entirely. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only necessary personnel and systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or attempts to access external resources through administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments that include XML parsing vulnerability testing and ensure that all administrative interfaces properly validate and sanitize input data. The remediation approach aligns with industry best practices for XXE prevention as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and secure XML processing configurations to prevent unauthorized resource access and data leakage.