CVE-2023-29509 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In April 2023, CVE-2023-29509 was published, highlighting a critical vulnerability in XWiki platform's Flamingo Theme UI. This vulnerability poses a significant risk due to an eval injection issue in the platform.

Understanding CVE-2023-29509

This section will delve into the key details of CVE-2023-29509, shedding light on the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-29509?

The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-29509 is an 'Eval Injection' flaw, categorized under CWE-95. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized access and compromise of the XWiki installation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29509

The impact of this vulnerability is severe, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10, indicating critical severity. It can result in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, potentially allowing attackers to gain full access to the XWiki platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29509

To address CVE-2023-29509 effectively, it is crucial to understand the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including how it can be exploited and the systems affected.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises in XWiki Commons, shared technical libraries in XWiki projects. Attackers with view rights on accessible documents can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary Groovy, Python, or Velocity code, granting them full access to the XWiki installation by bypassing security controls.

Affected Systems and Versions

The XWiki platform versions affected by CVE-2023-29509 include those ranging from >= 7.2-rc-1 to < 13.10.11, >= 14.0-rc-1 to < 14.4.7, and >= 14.5 to < 14.10. Users running these versions are at risk and should take immediate action to mitigate the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the improper escaping of the 'documentTree' macro parameters in the 'FlamingoThemesCode.WebHome' page. Attackers can leverage this macro, installed by default, to inject and execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-29509 requires a proactive approach towards mitigating risks and strengthening overall security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their XWiki platform to the patched versions - 13.10.11, 14.4.7, or 14.10 - to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access rights and monitoring for suspicious activities can help prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and educating users on safe computing habits can enhance the platform's resilience against potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and staying informed about the latest security advisories for XWiki platform is crucial to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.