CVE-2023-26480 in XWiki
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2023
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Starting in version 12.10, a user without script rights can introduce a stored cross-site scripting by using the Live Data macro. This has been patched in XWiki 14.9, 14.4.7, and 13.10.10. There are no known workarounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26480 affects the XWiki Platform, a widely used generic wiki platform that serves as a collaborative environment for content management and documentation. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that emerged in XWiki versions 12.10 and later, allowing unprivileged users to execute malicious scripts within the platform. The vulnerability specifically exploits the Live Data macro functionality, which is designed to enable dynamic data integration and presentation within wiki pages. The issue has been addressed in patch releases including XWiki 14.9, 14.4.7, and 13.10.10, indicating the severity of the threat to the platform's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Live Data macro processing mechanism. When users without script rights attempt to utilize this macro, the platform fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This stored data then gets rendered in subsequent page views without adequate security measures, creating a persistent XSS vector. The flaw operates at the application level where user input is processed and stored, making it particularly dangerous as it affects all users who can access the affected macro functionality regardless of their privilege level. This represents a direct violation of secure coding principles and demonstrates inadequate defense-in-depth measures within the platform's security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-26480 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, and access sensitive information. The vulnerability's persistence through stored data means that malicious scripts can affect multiple users over time, creating a long-term security risk for organizations relying on XWiki for collaborative workspaces. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where wiki platforms serve as central repositories for sensitive documentation, project information, and internal communications. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require advanced technical skills, making it accessible to threat actors with basic web application attack knowledge, and potentially enabling automated exploitation at scale.
Organizations utilizing XWiki platforms must prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected versions to remediate this vulnerability. The lack of known workarounds means that defensive measures are limited to updating to patched versions, which should be implemented as a critical security measure. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected XWiki installations and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, organizations should review their user privilege models and consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious macro usage patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in security best practices. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through the use of stored XSS to execute malicious scripts within user sessions.