CVE-2023-26473 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-26473 was recently published by GitHub_M on March 2, 2023. It pertains to a vulnerability in XWiki Platform that allows unprivileged users to make arbitrary select queries, potentially leading to improper access control. The base severity score for this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM.

Understanding CVE-2023-26473

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-26473, explaining the vulnerability's nature and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-26473?

The CVE-2023-26473 vulnerability stems from a flaw in XWiki Platform. Specifically, it enables any user with edit rights to execute arbitrary database select queries, thereby gaining access to data stored in the database. This poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26473

The impact of this vulnerability is deemed as medium severity. If exploited, it could result in high confidentiality impact as unauthorized users could access and potentially manipulate sensitive data stored within the database.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26473

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-26473, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in XWiki Platform allows unprivileged users to execute arbitrary select queries using DatabaseListProperty and suggest.vm, leading to improper access control.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions ranging from >= 1.3-rc-1 to < 13.10.11, >= 14.0 to < 14.4.7, and >= 14.5 to < 14.10 are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the flaw in XWiki Platform that grants users unauthorized access to make arbitrary database select queries.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will provide guidance on mitigating and preventing the exploitation of CVE-2023-26473, ensuring the security of affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

The immediate step to address this vulnerability is to upgrade XWiki Platform to the patched versions, specifically version 13.10.11, 14.4.7, or 14.10. There is no known workaround apart from applying the necessary updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance long-term security practices, it is advised to regularly monitor and update software systems to address any potential vulnerabilities promptly. Implementing proper access controls and user permissions can also help mitigate similar risks in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates from XWiki Platform to ensure that the latest patches are applied to mitigate vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-26473. Updating to the latest secure versions of the software is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.