CVE-2023-22457 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a vulnerability in org.xwiki.contrib:application-ckeditor-ui that is susceptible to Remote Code Execution via Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).

Understanding CVE-2023-22457

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-22457, shedding light on its significance and impact.

What is CVE-2023-22457?

The CVE-2023-22457 vulnerability affects the CKEditor Integration UI by enabling the editing of wiki pages using CKEditor. Versions prior to 1.64.3 of the

CKEditor.HTMLConverter

document did not have protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). This flaw allowed an attacker to execute macros with the privileges of the current user. By tricking a privileged user with programming rights into executing a GET request with specific parameters, remote code execution could occur. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and disruptions to the availability of the wiki.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22457

The impact of CVE-2023-22457 is rated as critical, with a base score of 9.1. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems are all at risk. The attack complexity is low, but user interaction is required, making it a severe vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22457

In this section, we dive deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-22457 to understand how the vulnerability operates.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in org.xwiki.contrib:application-ckeditor-ui allows threat actors to exploit the lack of CSRF protection in CKEditor Integration UI, potentially leading to remote code execution and unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerable product is application-ckeditor by xwiki-contrib. Specifically, versions prior to 1.64.3 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves tricking a privileged user with programming rights into executing a GET request with specific parameters, allowing the attacker to conduct remote code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-22457 requires immediate action and long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade the CKEditor integration to version 1.64.3 or newer to patch the vulnerability and prevent remote code execution.
Implement monitoring and access controls to detect and prevent unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users on security best practices to prevent falling victim to social engineering tactics used in attacks like CSRF.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by the software vendor to ensure the timely application of fixes and updates.