CVE-2023-27480 : What You Need to Know

This CVE, assigned on March 1, 2023, and published on March 7, 2023, highlights a data leak vulnerability through a XAR import XML External Entity (XXE) attack in xwiki-platform-xar-model.

Understanding CVE-2023-27480

This vulnerability affects XWiki Platform, a generic wiki platform that provides runtime services for applications built on top of it. The issue arises from improper restriction of XML External Entity References, allowing a user with edit rights to trigger an XAR import on a forged XAR file. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the XWiki server host.

What is CVE-2023-27480?

The CVE-2023-27480 vulnerability enables a malicious user to exploit the XAR import functionality in the xwiki-platform-xar-model, potentially resulting in data leakage and unauthorized access to files on the server.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27480

With a CVSS base score of 7.7 (High Severity), this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of data. While the attack complexity is low, the impact on confidentiality is high, emphasizing the critical nature of this security issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27480

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference.

Vulnerability Description

In affected versions of XWiki Platform, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to view the contents of files on the XWiki server by manipulating the XAR import feature with a crafted XAR file.

Affected Systems and Versions

xwiki-platform versions >= 1.1-milestone-3 and < 13.10.11
xwiki-platform versions >= 14.0.0 and < 14.4.7
xwiki-platform versions >= 14.5.0 and < 14.10.0-rc-1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an authenticated user with edit rights to perform a malicious XAR import operation, bypassing security measures and leading to data exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is essential to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-27480 and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to upgrade to patched versions, specifically XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.7, or 14.10-rc-1. Alternatively, if upgrading is not immediately feasible, users can apply the patch

e3527b98fd

manually to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, organizations should regularly update their software, implement access controls, conduct security testing, and educate users on best practices to prevent unauthorized access and data leaks.

Patching and Updates

Patching plays a crucial role in addressing security vulnerabilities. It is recommended to stay informed about security updates released by XWiki and promptly apply patches to ensure a secure environment.