CVE-2023-46243 in xwiki
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. In affected versions it's possible for a user to execute any content with the right of an existing document's content author, provided the user have edit right on it. A crafted URL of the form ` /xwiki/bin/edit//?content=%7B%7Bgroovy%7D%7Dprintln%28%22Hello+from+Groovy%21%22%29%7B%7B%2Fgroovy%7D%7D&xpage=view` can be used to execute arbitrary groovy code on the server. This vulnerability has been patched in XWiki versions 14.10.6 and 15.2RC1. Users are advised to update. There are no known workarounds for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46243 represents a critical server-side code execution flaw within the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built upon it. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied content within the platform's editing interface, creating a path for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code on the server. The flaw specifically affects the platform's handling of content within the edit functionality, where user-provided data is not adequately filtered or escaped before being processed. The vulnerability manifests through a crafted URL structure that exploits the platform's Groovy scripting capabilities, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious Groovy code with the privileges of the document's content author. This presents a severe risk as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their access level and execute commands on the underlying server infrastructure. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-94, which represents "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Groovy," demonstrating how attackers can leverage scripting languages to execute malicious commands on compromised systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the platform's content rendering mechanism within the edit page functionality, where the URL pattern `/xwiki/bin/edit//?content=%7B%7Bgroovy%7D%7Dprintln%28%22Hello+from+Groovy%21%22%29%7B%7B%2Fgroovy%7D%7D&xpage=view` demonstrates how a malicious user with edit permissions on a document can inject Groovy code directly into the content parameter. The encoded payload within the content parameter utilizes the platform's built-in Groovy macro processing capabilities, where the {{groovy}} delimiters instruct the system to execute the enclosed Groovy code. This exploitation bypasses normal security controls by leveraging the legitimate Groovy execution environment that should only be accessible to authorized users with proper permissions. The vulnerability essentially allows privilege escalation from a basic editor role to a system-level execution capability, as the Groovy code runs with the privileges of the document's original author, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even establish persistent access. The exploitation requires only the ability to edit a document, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who do not possess administrative privileges but have been granted basic editing rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-46243 extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the XWiki platform and the applications built upon it. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to access all documents, user accounts, and system resources that the platform manages. The vulnerability affects not just individual documents but potentially entire wiki installations, as the code execution occurs at the server level where the platform operates. Organizations using XWiki for collaborative workspaces, documentation systems, or enterprise content management may face severe consequences including data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential disruption of business operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require special privileges beyond basic editing rights, making it accessible to a broader range of potential attackers who may have legitimate access to the platform for collaborative purposes. This vulnerability also poses risks to the platform's ecosystem, as compromised systems may serve as entry points for further attacks against connected systems or networks.
Mitigation of this vulnerability requires immediate action by organizations utilizing affected XWiki versions, as there are no viable workarounds available for this specific flaw. The recommended approach involves upgrading to XWiki versions 14.10.6 or 15.2RC1, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation issues and prevent the execution of unauthorized Groovy code. Security administrators should prioritize this update across all affected systems and verify that the patch has been successfully applied. Additional security measures include implementing strict access controls to limit editing privileges to only trusted users, monitoring system logs for suspicious activity related to document editing, and conducting thorough security audits of existing content to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious URL patterns, and establish robust incident response procedures to quickly address any suspected exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for regular security assessments of collaborative platforms that handle sensitive information. Given the severity of this vulnerability and its potential for system compromise, organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional monitoring controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to their wiki platforms.