CVE-2023-26055 : What You Need to Know

This CVE involves XWiki Commons potentially allowing privilege escalation to programming rights via a user's first name.

Understanding CVE-2023-26055

This vulnerability, assigned with the ID CVE-2023-26055, affects XWiki Commons, which are technical libraries common to several other XWiki projects. The flaw allows any user to edit their profile and inject code, leading to code execution with programming rights, potentially enabling privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2023-26055?

In XWiki Commons versions starting from 3.1-milestone-1, users can exploit a vulnerability that allows them to inject code via their profile, resulting in the execution of that code with programming rights. This same issue can be exploited wherever short text properties are displayed, such as in applications created using Apps Within Minutes that utilize a short text field.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26055

The impact of this CVE is significant, as it allows malicious users to escalate their privileges and potentially execute unauthorized code with programming rights. This could lead to various security breaches and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26055

This vulnerability has been given a CVSSv3 base score of 10, categorizing it as critical. The attack complexity is low, attack vector is network-based, and the impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity are all rated as high. The privileges required for exploitation are low, and the scope is changed, with no user interaction needed for the attack.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in XWiki Commons allows users to inject code into their profile and execute it with programming rights, potentially leading to privilege escalation and unauthorized code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following versions of XWiki Commons are affected by this vulnerability:

= 3.1-milestone-1, < 13.10.9

= 14.0-rc-1, < 14.4.4

= 14.5, < 14.7-rc-1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into their profile or any other area where short text properties are displayed, leading to the execution of unauthorized code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2023-26055, immediate action is required to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploits.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update XWiki Commons to the patched versions: 13.10.9, 14.4.4, or 14.7RC1 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor user profiles and other areas where short text properties are displayed for any suspicious code injections.
Implement proper input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update XWiki Commons and other software components to the latest versions to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential security weaknesses in the system.
Train users and administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of maintaining system security.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to apply the provided patches and updates for XWiki Commons to ensure that the vulnerability is remediated and the system is secure from potential exploitation. Regularly check for security advisories and apply patches promptly to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.