CVE-2023-35161 in XWiki
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2023
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Users are able to forge an URL with a payload allowing to inject Javascript in the page (XSS). It's possible to exploit the DeleteApplication page to perform a XSS, e.g. by using URL such as: > xwiki/bin/view/AppWithinMinutes/DeleteApplication?appName=Menu&resolve=true&xredirect=javascript:alert(document.domain). This vulnerability exists since XWiki 6.2-milestone-1. The vulnerability has been patched in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1-rc-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35161 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that serves as a foundation for various applications. This security weakness allows malicious actors to inject javascript code into web pages through carefully crafted URLs, specifically targeting the DeleteApplication page functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the platform's URL parameter handling, enabling attackers to manipulate the xredirect parameter to execute arbitrary javascript code in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters on the DeleteApplication endpoint, where the appName and xredirect parameters can be controlled to inject malicious javascript payloads. The specific example demonstrates how an attacker can construct a URL that redirects to a javascript payload using the xredirect parameter, effectively bypassing normal security controls. This flaw exists in the platform's core functionality since version 6.2-milestone-1, indicating a long-standing security gap that was not adequately addressed until the release of version 14.10.5 and 15.1-rc-1. The vulnerability operates by allowing untrusted input to be directly incorporated into the page's redirect functionality without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an avenue for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing XWiki Platform, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the platform's core administrative functionality, making it particularly dangerous since it can be exploited by users with limited privileges to potentially escalate their access or compromise other users' sessions. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of the wiki platform and associated applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal user interaction, making it suitable for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize the immediate application of the available patches, specifically upgrading to XWiki versions 14.10.5 or 15.1-rc-1, which contain the necessary fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at the application level, proper output encoding of all user-supplied data, and the implementation of content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their XWiki installations to identify any potential custom modifications that might have introduced similar weaknesses. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, Cross-site Scripting, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security implications, with potential ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1531 for manipulation of application execution flow. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.