CVE-2022-41933 : Security Advisory and Response

A plaintext storage vulnerability in org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-security-authentication-default exposes sensitive information in XWiki Platform. The issue affects versions 13.1RC1 to 13.10.8 and 14.0.0 to 14.4.3, allowing malicious actors to access passwords stored in plain text.

Understanding CVE-2022-41933

This vulnerability in XWiki Platform poses a significant security risk by storing passwords in plaintext, potentially leading to data leaks and unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2022-41933?

XWiki Platform's

reset a forgotten password

feature stores passwords in plain text in the database. This impacts users of the main wiki, exposing them to potential data leaks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-41933

The vulnerability only affects versions 13.1RC1 and newer, including 14.x releases up to 14.4.3. Malicious actors could exploit this issue to access sensitive user passwords, leading to further security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-41933

The vulnerability allows attackers to retrieve passwords stored in plain text in the database, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive information.

Vulnerability Description

XWiki Platform's

reset a forgotten password

feature stores passwords in plain text, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 13.1RC1 to 13.10.8 and 14.0.0 to 14.4.3 of XWiki Platform are affected by this vulnerability, putting user passwords at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to user passwords stored in plain text, posing a significant security risk.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users and administrators should take immediate steps to address the vulnerability and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar issues.

Immediate Steps to Take

Affected users should update to patched versions (14.6RC1, 14.4.3, or 13.10.8) and follow password reset procedures to secure their accounts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement additional security measures, such as regular password changes, to enhance overall security and protect against data breaches.

Patching and Updates

XWiki Platform has released patches in versions 14.6RC1, 14.4.3, and 13.10.8 to address the plaintext password storage issue and mitigate the associated risks.