CVE-2023-29205 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-29205, a vulnerability in org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-rendering-xwiki that is vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting via HTML and raw macro.

Understanding CVE-2023-29205

CVE-2023-29205 is a critical vulnerability in XWiki platform rendering that allows for stored cross-site scripting due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation.

What is CVE-2023-29205?

XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several top-level XWiki projects. The issue arises from the HTML macro not properly neutralizing script-related HTML tags, enabling any user to introduce an XSS attack. This poses a significant risk, especially in standard wikis where users can use the HTML macro directly on their user profile pages. The problem has been addressed in XWiki 14.8RC1 through systematic cleanup of HTML macros.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29205

This vulnerability has a CVSSv3.1 base score of 10 (Critical) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is low with a network attack vector, requiring low privileges and no user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29205

CVE-2023-29205 is classified under CWE-79, which denotes the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's session, potentially leading to data theft or unauthorized actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The xwiki-platform-rendering-xwiki version less than 14.8-rc-1 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed inputs containing malicious scripts that, when executed, can manipulate the content of the XWiki pages and compromise the integrity of the platform.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-29205, immediate actions should be taken to secure XWiki installations and prevent potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update XWiki platform to version 14.8-rc-1 or later to apply the necessary security patches.
Enforce strict input validation to prevent the execution of malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and patch vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and potential security risks associated with cross-site scripting attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running XWiki are regularly updated with the latest security patches and software updates to minimize the risk of exploitation.