CVE-2023-42431 in BlueSpice
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in BlueSpiceAvatars extension of BlueSpice allows logged in user to inject arbitrary HTML into the profile image dialog on Special:Preferences. This only applies to the genuine user context.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2023
The CVE-2023-42431 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the BlueSpiceAvatars extension of the BlueSpice MediaWiki platform. This security weakness specifically targets the Special:Preferences page functionality where users can manage their profile settings. The vulnerability occurs when a logged-in user with appropriate privileges attempts to modify their profile image through the avatar dialog interface, creating an opportunity for malicious code injection. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate user context, meaning it can be exploited by individuals who already possess valid authentication credentials within the system.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the BlueSpiceAvatars extension. When users upload or modify profile images through the Special:Preferences dialog, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious HTML content that persists in the profile image dialog, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected profile page. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack since the malicious payload is stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is accessed.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42431 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject phishing content that appears legitimate to other users. Given that this vulnerability affects the profile image dialog on Special:Preferences, it could be exploited to target users with elevated privileges or those who frequently access user management features. The attack vector requires only a logged-in user context, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts within the BlueSpice system.
Organizations utilizing BlueSpice MediaWiki platforms should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the official BlueSpice extension updates. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious HTML content from being stored or executed within the avatar dialog interface. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious profile modifications and user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage web-based exploits to compromise user sessions. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched extension to ensure no regression in functionality while maintaining the security hardening measures that prevent future XSS attacks.