CVE-2023-29515 in xwiki-platform-appwithinminutes
Summary
by MITRE • 04/19/2023
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Any user who can create a space can become admin of that space through App Within Minutes. The admin right implies the script right and thus allows JavaScript injection. The vulnerability can be exploited by creating an app in App Within Minutes. If the button should be disabled because the user doesn't have global edit right, the app can also be created by directly opening `/xwiki/bin/view/AppWithinMinutes/CreateApplication?wizard=true` on the XWiki installation. This has been patched in XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.1 and 15.0 RC1 by not granting the space admin right if the user doesn't have script right on the space where the app is created. Error message are displayed to warn the user that the app will be broken in this case. Users who became space admin through this vulnerability won't loose the space admin right due to the fix, so it is advised to check if all users who created AWM apps should keep their space admin rights. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2023
The CVE-2023-29515 vulnerability affects the XWiki Platform, a generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built on top of it. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation issue that allows users with minimal permissions to gain administrative rights within specific spaces. The vulnerability specifically impacts the App Within Minutes feature, which is designed to enable users to create custom applications within the wiki environment. The flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the App Within Minutes functionality where users can create applications within spaces they have access to. When a user attempts to create an application through the standard interface, the system should verify that the user possesses global edit rights before enabling the creation button. However, this validation mechanism fails, allowing users to bypass the restriction by directly accessing the URL `/xwiki/bin/view/AppWithinMinutes/CreateApplication?wizard=true`. This direct access bypasses the normal permission checks and enables unauthorized users to create applications with administrative privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because space administrative rights inherently include script execution capabilities, which can lead to full JavaScript injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security risk for organizations using XWiki platforms. Once exploited, attackers can gain the ability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the affected spaces, potentially leading to data exfiltration, session hijacking, or further lateral movement within the organization's network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to the patched releases, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit this flaw. The security implications are particularly severe because the affected users can leverage their administrative privileges to modify application behavior, access restricted content, and potentially compromise the entire wiki environment.
The fix implemented in XWiki versions 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.1, and 15.0 RC1 addresses the core issue by removing the automatic granting of space admin rights when users lack script rights on the space where the application is created. This remediation approach aligns with principle of least privilege concepts and follows security best practices outlined in CWE-284, which addresses improper access control. The patched versions also implement user warnings through error messages to inform users about the potential consequences of creating broken applications. However, the fix introduces a backward compatibility consideration as users who previously gained administrative rights through this vulnerability will retain those privileges, requiring administrators to manually audit and adjust permissions. This remediation strategy reflects ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves valid accounts with elevated privileges, requiring administrators to validate that existing users should maintain their elevated rights.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must prioritize immediate upgrade to the patched versions to prevent exploitation. The lack of known workarounds means that administrators cannot implement temporary fixes while waiting for official patches. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of existing XWiki installations to identify vulnerable systems and assess the scope of potential privilege escalation that may have already occurred. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly those with complex permission models that handle user-generated content and application creation features. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other wiki platforms and collaborative environments that may share similar architectural patterns.