CVE-2023-45136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A critical vulnerability has been identified in XWiki Platform web templates, exposing systems to reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This article delves into the details of CVE-2023-45136, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-45136

XWiki Platform web templates are vulnerable to reflected XSS attacks, specifically in the create document form when name validation is enabled.

What is CVE-2023-45136?

XWiki Platform, a versatile wiki platform, is susceptible to reflected cross-site scripting attacks in the page creation form due to improper input neutralization, potentially leading to unauthorized remote code execution and data access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45136

The vulnerability in XWiki Platform versions prior to 12.10.12 and 15.5-rc-1 allows attackers to execute malicious actions using the user's permissions, posing a significant risk of compromise and data infiltration.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45136

This section outlines the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

XWiki Platform's vulnerability stems from improper input handling in the

createinline.vm

template file, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions >= 12.0-rc-1 and < 14.10.12, as well as versions >= 15.0-rc-1 and < 15.5-rc-1, are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting and tricking users into accessing a malicious link that executes unauthorized actions within the XWiki installation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover essential steps to secure and safeguard systems against CVE-2023-45136.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure immediate actions are taken to mitigate the vulnerability, including applying recommended patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security protocols, user awareness training, and ongoing monitoring to prevent similar security lapses in the future.

Patching and Updates

Update XWiki Platform to versions 14.10.12 and 15.5-rc-1, which include fixes for this vulnerability by implementing proper input sanitization and escaping mechanisms.