CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-29524NVD status: Modified

xwiki-platform: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-29524 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component 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: < 14.10.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 75.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.47% of all scored CVEs.

Patch now

Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.

What to do

  1. Update Xwiki to 14.10.3 or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
XWikixwiki-platform< 14.10.3Not stated
XWikiXwikibefore 14.10.314.10.3

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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.9CriticalCNA (github.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. It's possible to execute anything with the right of the Scheduler Application sheet page. A user without script or programming rights, edit your user profile with the object editor and add a new object of type XWiki.SchedulerJobClass, In "Job Script", groovy code can be added and will be executed in the server context on viewing. This has been patched in XWiki 14.10.3 and 15.0 RC1. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
  • Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities (CWE-74)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in xwiki-platform

All xwiki-platform vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.