CVE-2023-40176 in XWiki
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2023
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Any registered user can exploit a stored XSS through their user profile by setting the payload as the value of the time zone user preference. Even though the time zone is selected from a drop down (no free text value) it can still be set from JavaScript (using the browser developer tools) or by calling the save URL on the user profile with the right query string. Once the time zone is set it is displayed without escaping which means the payload gets executed for any user that visits the malicious user profile, allowing the attacker to steal information and even gain more access rights (escalation to programming rights). This issue is present since version 4.1M2 when the time zone user preference was introduced. The issue has been fixed in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1RC1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-40176 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in the XWiki Platform that exploits user profile settings to execute malicious code. This vulnerability affects any registered user within the platform and demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration options can become attack vectors when proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms are absent. The flaw specifically targets the time zone user preference functionality that was introduced in version 4.1M2, making it a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases without adequate protection measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of user profile settings via JavaScript or direct API calls to the save URL endpoint. While the user interface presents a dropdown menu for time zone selection, the underlying system allows programmatic modification through browser developer tools or direct HTTP requests with malicious query parameters. This bypasses the intended input constraints and enables attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the time zone field. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 as it represents a failure to properly escape output when rendering user-provided data, creating a persistent XSS condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and gain programming rights within the platform. When the malicious payload executes in the context of other users visiting the compromised profile, it can harvest session cookies, personal information, and potentially execute administrative commands. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists indefinitely until the user profile is modified or the system is patched, making it particularly dangerous for environments where user profiles are frequently accessed. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as well as T1531 for Account Access Removal, depending on the specific attack vector employed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to versions 14.10.5 or 15.1RC1 where the issue has been resolved. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation for all user profile settings, mandatory output escaping for all user-provided content, and regular security audits of configuration options. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security controls even for seemingly innocuous features and demonstrates why comprehensive security testing should include both UI and API-level input validation. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter modifications, while monitoring user profile changes for anomalous patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.