xwiki-platform: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2022-31166 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in xwiki-platform from XWiki, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected xwiki-platform versions: >= 11.3.7, < 13.10.4; >= 14.0-rc-1, < 14.2-rc-1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.48% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 74% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Xwiki to 13.10.4 or 14.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| XWiki | xwiki-platform | >= 11.3.7, < 13.10.4; >= 14.0-rc-1, < 14.2-rc-1 | Not stated |
| XWiki | Xwiki | 11.3.7 up to, but not including, 13.10.4; 14.0 up to, but not including, 14.2 | 13.10.4, 14.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
XWiki Platform Old Core is a core package for XWiki Platform, a generic wiki platform. Starting in versions 11.3.7, 11.0.3, and 12.0RC1, it is possible to exploit a bug in XWikiRights resolution of groups to obtain privilege escalation. More specifically, editing a right with the object editor leads to adding a supplementary empty value to groups which is then resolved as a reference to XWiki.WebHome page. Adding an XWikiGroup xobject to that page then transforms it to a group, any user put in that group would then obtain the privileges related to the edited right. Note that this security issue is normally mitigated by the fact that XWiki.WebHome (and XWiki space in general) should be protected by default for edit rights. The problem has been patched in XWiki 13.10.4 and 14.2RC1 to not consider anymore empty values in XWikiRights. It's possible to work around the problem by setting appropriate rights on XWiki.WebHome page to prevent users to edit it.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-g4h6-qp44-wqvxThird Party Advisory
- jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-15776
- jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-18386Exploit, Permissions Required
Patches and release notes
- github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/pull/1800Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in xwiki-platform
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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