CVE-2023-26471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record pertains to a security vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26471 in the XWiki Platform, where users may execute anything with superadmin rights through comments and the async macro.

Understanding CVE-2023-26471

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-26471 vulnerability in the XWiki Platform.

What is CVE-2023-26471?

CVE-2023-26471 is a vulnerability that affects the XWiki Platform, a generic wiki platform. In versions starting from 11.6-rc-1, comments were designed to be executed with the proper superadmin rights but in restricted mode. However, the async macro failed to consider the restricted mode, allowing any user with comment rights to leverage the async macro to execute any wiki content with superadmin privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26471

The impact of CVE-2023-26471 is classified as critical. With this vulnerability, unauthorized users can exploit the async macro to execute unauthorized actions with elevated privileges, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches, integrity compromises, and high availability impacts.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26471

This section provides technical insights into the CVE-2023-26471 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability (CVE-2023-26471) in the XWiki Platform allows users with comment rights to utilize the async macro to execute wiki content with superadmin privileges, circumventing the intended restricted mode.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions >= 11.6-rc-1 and < 13.10.10 are affected.
XWiki Platform versions >= 14.0 and < 14.4.6 are affected.
XWiki Platform versions >= 14.5 and < 14.9 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-26471 involves leveraging the async macro in comments to execute arbitrary content with the superadmin right, bypassing the intended restricted mode.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines measures to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-26471 vulnerability in the XWiki Platform.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to the patched versions of XWiki (14.9, 14.4.6, 13.10.10) to address the CVE-2023-26471 vulnerability. Additionally, applying the necessary patch and rebuilding and redeploying

org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-rendering-async-macro

is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhancing access control mechanisms, regularly updating software components, and conducting security audits can bolster long-term security resilience against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring and applying software patches, updates, and security advisories from XWiki can help mitigate known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-26471 and enhance overall system security.