CVE-2023-26055 in XWiki Commons
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2023
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. Starting in version 3.1-milestone-1, any user can edit their own profile and inject code, which is going to be executed with programming right. The same vulnerability can also be exploited in all other places where short text properties are displayed, e.g., in apps created using Apps Within Minutes that use a short text field. The problem has been patched on versions 13.10.9, 14.4.4, 14.7RC1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26055 affects XWiki Commons, which serves as foundational technical libraries supporting multiple top-level XWiki projects within the enterprise content management ecosystem. This flaw represents a critical privilege escalation and code execution vulnerability that undermines the security model of the platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the user profile editing functionality, allowing authenticated users to inject malicious code that executes with full programming privileges. This represents a significant departure from the expected security boundaries where user input should be strictly controlled and sanitized before processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of short text properties within the XWiki platform's user profile management system. When users edit their own profiles, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data, creating an opportunity for code injection attacks. The vulnerability extends beyond simple profile editing to encompass any component utilizing short text fields, including applications built using the Apps Within Minutes feature. This widespread impact demonstrates the fundamental nature of the flaw within the platform's architecture, where the same sanitization weakness exists across multiple modules and components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows execution with programming rights, meaning injected code can perform operations that would normally be restricted to administrators or system-level processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-26055 is severe and multifaceted within enterprise environments that rely on XWiki platforms. An attacker with legitimate user credentials could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any authenticated user within the system. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to escalate their access to administrative functions, modify critical system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The implications extend to organizations using XWiki for sensitive document management, collaboration platforms, or internal knowledge bases where the compromise of user profile functionality could lead to widespread data exposure.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves upgrading to patched versions 13.10.9, 14.4.4, or 14.7RC1, which implement proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and prioritize patch deployment across their XWiki installations. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious profile editing activities and code injection attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting and input validation flaws, while the privilege escalation aspect relates to CWE-269 which covers insufficient privileges. The attack pattern follows TTPs associated with privilege escalation and code injection techniques documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499 for endpoint detection and response evasion. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including web application firewalls, input sanitization layers, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their XWiki deployments.