CVE-2023-37911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in XWiki Platform that may lead to data leakage through deleted and re-created documents. Below is a detailed overview of CVE-2023-37911 and how to address it.

Understanding CVE-2023-37911

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-37911 vulnerability in XWiki Platform.

What is CVE-2023-37911?

XWiki Platform versions starting from 9.4-rc-1 up to versions 14.10.8 and 15.3-rc-1 are affected by a flaw that allows users with view rights on re-created documents but not on the deleted ones to access the contents of deleted documents. This issue arises when permissions are modified on the deleted document, potentially exposing sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-37911

The vulnerability could be exploited through the diff feature and partially via REST API, allowing attackers to view deleted document contents and even re-create deleted documents with sufficient edit rights. However, XWiki versions 14.10.8 and 15.3 RC1 have addressed this flaw by implementing proper rights verification when accessing deleted revisions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-37911

This section provides technical details regarding the CVE-2023-37911 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

When a document is deleted and re-created in XWiki Platform, users with view rights only on the re-created document can access the contents of the deleted document, posing a data exposure risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions affected by this vulnerability include those from 9.4-rc-1 to 14.10.8 and 15.3-rc-1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through the diff feature and REST API by using versions like

deleted:1

, enabling unauthorized access to deleted document contents.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-37911 vulnerability in XWiki Platform.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk, ensure to update to XWiki versions 14.10.8 or 15.3 RC1. Regularly clean deleted documents to minimize potential exposure and exercise caution when deleting sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a regular security review process, educate users on secure data handling, and enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security patches and regularly check for updates to address any security vulnerabilities that may arise.