CVE-2024-31997 in xwiki-platform-uiextension-api
Summary
by MITRE • 04/11/2024
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Prior to versions 4.10.19, 15.5.4, and 15.10-rc-1, parameters of UI extensions are always interpreted as Velocity code and executed with programming rights. Any user with edit right on any document like the user's own profile can create UI extensions. This allows remote code execution and thereby impacts the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the whole XWiki installation. This vulnerability has been patched in XWiki 14.10.19, 15.5.4 and 15.9-RC1. No known workarounds are available.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The CVE-2024-31997 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the XWiki Platform, a widely-used generic wiki platform that serves as a foundation for collaborative documentation and content management systems. This vulnerability stems from a fundamental design flaw in how the platform handles user interface extension parameters, where all such parameters are automatically interpreted and executed as Velocity template code with full programming privileges. The issue affects versions prior to 4.10.19, 15.5.4, and 15.10-rc-1, creating a persistent security risk across multiple release branches that could compromise entire XWiki installations. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that any user possessing basic edit permissions on documents, including personal profiles, can exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where users may have varying permission levels.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of UI extension parameters that are processed without proper sanitization or context validation. When users with edit rights create or modify UI extensions, the platform executes the provided parameters as Velocity code, bypassing normal security boundaries and privilege checks. This behavior aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic server-side code injection vulnerability. The execution occurs with programming rights, meaning attackers can leverage this to perform arbitrary code execution on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The Velocity template engine, while powerful for legitimate content generation, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when used without proper input validation and execution context restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-31997 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass the complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within affected XWiki installations. Attackers can use this vulnerability to access sensitive data, modify or delete content, install backdoors, and potentially establish persistent access to the system. The vulnerability's exploitation directly impacts the availability of the platform by allowing attackers to disrupt services through malicious code execution, while simultaneously compromising data integrity by enabling unauthorized modifications to documents and system configurations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires minimal privileges to exploit, as any user with edit rights on documents can create malicious UI extensions, potentially affecting organizations that rely on XWiki for critical business documentation and collaboration. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when considering how attackers might leverage compromised systems for further lateral movement.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended patches for versions 14.10.19, 15.5.4, and 15.9-RC1, as no viable workarounds exist to mitigate the risk. The patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper input validation and context separation for UI extension parameters, ensuring that user-provided content is not automatically executed with programming privileges. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their XWiki installations to identify any potentially compromised systems and monitor for suspicious activities related to UI extension modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege and input validation in web application security, particularly when dealing with template engines and user-generated content processing. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual document modification patterns, as the vulnerability's exploitation may not be immediately apparent through standard logging mechanisms.