CVE-2023-29511 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-29511, a vulnerability in XWiki Platform that could lead to privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2023-29511

CVE-2023-29511 is a critical vulnerability found in XWiki Platform, allowing users with edit rights to execute arbitrary Groovy, Python, or Velocity code, resulting in full access to the XWiki installation.

What is CVE-2023-29511?

The vulnerability arises from improper escaping of section ids in

XWiki.AdminFieldsDisplaySheet

, a default page in XWiki Platform. It affects versions ranging from 14.0-rc-1 to 14.10.1 and has been addressed in versions 15.0-rc-1, 14.10.1, 14.4.8, and 13.10.11.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29511

With a CVSS base score of 9.9 (Critical), this vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality and integrity, allowing unauthorized users to escalate privileges within the platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29511

The vulnerability, identified as CWE-95 (Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code), has a low attack complexity and requires low privileges to exploit, making it a critical security concern.

Vulnerability Description

This vulnerability in XWiki Platform arises from the lack of proper escaping of section ids, enabling users to execute code and potentially compromise the entire XWiki installation.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions >= 14.0-rc-1 and < 14.4.8, >= 14.5 and < 14.10.1, and >= 1.5M2 and < 13.10.11 are affected by CVE-2023-29511.

Exploitation Mechanism

Users with edit rights can leverage this vulnerability to run malicious code and gain unauthorized access to the XWiki installation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Given the critical nature of CVE-2023-29511, immediate action is necessary to secure XWiki installations and prevent potential privilege escalation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update XWiki Platform to the patched versions (15.0-rc-1, 14.10.1, 14.4.8, or 13.10.11) to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance the security of their installations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict validation mechanisms, regularly update XWiki Platform, and restrict user permissions to reduce the risk of future privilege escalation incidents.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to XWiki Platform and promptly apply patches or updates released by the XWiki community to protect against known vulnerabilities.