CVE-2023-40177 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in XWiki Platform, impacting versions >= 4.3-milestone-2 and below 14.10.5. This vulnerability allows registered users to execute arbitrary scripts with elevated rights through the AWM content fields of their user profile pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-40177

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in XWiki Platform, enabling users to perform unauthorized actions through their user profile content fields.

What is CVE-2023-40177?

The XWiki Platform vulnerability allows any registered user to exploit the content field of their user profile page to execute arbitrary scripts with elevated privileges, leading to unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-40177

The impact of this vulnerability is critical, as it enables attackers to escalate their rights within the XWiki Platform, potentially leading to unauthorized access and actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-40177

The vulnerability arises from the AppWithinMinutes Application's support for the Content field, which executes content with the rights of the AppWithinMinutes.Content author instead of the content author, starting from version 4.3M2 of the XWiki Platform.

Vulnerability Description

Any registered user can exploit the content field of their user profile page to run arbitrary scripts with elevated rights, allowing unauthorized privilege escalation within the XWiki Platform.

Affected Systems and Versions

Users of XWiki Platform versions >= 4.3-milestone-2 and below 14.10.5 are affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability enables users to misuse the AppWithinMinutes Application's Content field support, executing scripts with elevated privileges, bypassing standard access control mechanisms.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-40177, it is crucial to take immediate action to secure XWiki Platform installations and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade XWiki Platform to version 14.10.5 or 15.1RC1 to apply the necessary security patches and mitigation measures.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from XWiki to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and patches.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates promptly to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed and the platform remains secure.