CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-31982NVD status: Modified

xwiki-platform: Improper Control of Generation of Code

CVE-2024-31982 is a critical-severity improper control of generation of code vulnerability in xwiki-platform from XWiki, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 14.10.20, 15.5.4, 15.10-rc-1 as the first without the flaw, so updating xwiki-platform to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 34.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.56% of all scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update xwiki-platform to 14.10.20 or 15.5.4 or 15.10-rc-1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update Xwiki to 14.10.20 or 15.5.4 or 15.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
XWikixwiki-platform>= 2.4-milestone-1, < 14.10.20; >= 15.0-rc-1, < 15.5.4; >= 15.6-rc-1, < 15.10-rc-1; 2.4-milestone-1 up to, but not including, 14.10.20; 15.0-rc-1 up to, but not including, 15.5.4; 15.6-rc-1 up to, but not including, 15.10-rc-114.10.20, 15.5.4, 15.10-rc-1
XWikiXwiki2.4 up to, but not including, 14.10.20; 15.0 up to, but not including, 15.5.4; 15.6 up to, but not including, 15.1014.10.20, 15.5.4, 15.10

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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.110.0CriticalCNA (github.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD

Official description

XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Starting in version 2.4-milestone-1 and prior to versions 4.10.20, 15.5.4, and 15.10-rc-1, XWiki's database search allows remote code execution through the search text. This allows remote code execution for any visitor of a public wiki or user of a closed wiki as the database search is by default accessible for all users. This impacts the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the whole XWiki installation. This vulnerability has been patched in XWiki 14.10.20, 15.5.4 and 15.10RC1. As a workaround, one may manually apply the patch to the page `Main.DatabaseSearch`. Alternatively, unless database search is explicitly used by users, this page can be deleted as this is not the default search interface of XWiki.

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

The underlying weakness: Improper Control of Generation of Code

The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Refactor your program so that you do not have to dynamically generate code.
  • Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which code can be executed by your product. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
  • Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.

More Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities (CWE-94)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in xwiki-platform

All xwiki-platform vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities

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