CVE-2024-42489 in xwiki-pro-macros
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2024
Pro Macros provides XWiki rendering macros. Missing escaping in the Viewpdf macro allows any user with view right on the `CKEditor.HTMLConverter` page or edit or comment right on any page to perform remote code execution. Other macros like Viewppt are vulnerable to the same kind of attack. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.10.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42489 affects Pro Macros, a component within XWiki rendering macros that provides various macro functionalities for content management systems. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Viewpdf macro implementation, creating a critical security flaw that can be exploited by unauthorized users. The vulnerability manifests when users possess minimal permissions such as view rights on the CKEditor.HTMLConverter page or edit/comment rights on any page within the system. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping or encoding, allowing malicious payloads to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code remotely.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Viewpdf macro's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering content. When the macro processes PDF files for display, it does not adequately escape special characters or validate the content being processed, creating a path for code injection attacks. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed in the context of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability extends beyond the Viewpdf macro to include similar implementations such as Viewppt, indicating a systemic issue within the macro processing framework that handles document rendering functionality. The root cause aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities due to insufficient output escaping, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code, both of which are fundamental security principles in secure coding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-42489 is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers with relatively low privileges to escalate their access and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This remote code execution capability means that an attacker could potentially gain full control over the server, access sensitive data, modify content, or establish persistence mechanisms within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require high-privilege accounts, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who only have basic viewing capabilities on specific pages or editing permissions on other pages. Organizations using Pro Macros versions prior to 1.10.1 face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential service disruption. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple pathways depending on user permissions, making it challenging to fully mitigate without proper patching.
The recommended mitigation strategy centers on immediate deployment of the fixed version 1.10.1, which addresses the escaping deficiencies in the Viewpdf macro and related document rendering macros. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Pro Macros and implement comprehensive patch management procedures. Security teams should also review user permissions and implement the principle of least privilege to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that users only have necessary access rights. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls as additional layers of protection. The fix addresses the core issue by properly implementing output escaping mechanisms that prevent malicious code from being executed during the rendering process, thereby protecting against both the specific vulnerability and similar classes of attacks that could exploit similar weaknesses in other macros. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and script injection, by preventing the execution of unauthorized code through macro processing vulnerabilities.