CVE-2023-48241 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-48241, a vulnerability in XWiki affecting the exposure of content in documents.

Understanding CVE-2023-48241

CVE-2023-48241 is a vulnerability in XWiki that allows anyone with view access to Solr suggest service to access the content of all documents in all wikis.

What is CVE-2023-48241?

The XWiki Platform, specifically versions from 6.3-milestone-2 to 14.10.15 and 15.0-rc-1 to 15.5.1, exposes the content of all documents to users with view rights on the Solr suggest service. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48241

The vulnerability poses a high risk with a CVSS base score of 7.5 as it allows unauthorized users to access confidential information stored in the wiki platform. Proper authorization checks can be circumvented, potentially leading to data exposure.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48241

This section covers key technical details of the CVE-2023-48241 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the Solr-based search suggestion provider in XWiki, which inadvertently exposes the content of all documents of all wikis to users with view rights. The access bypasses normal authorization checks, potentially leading to data leaks.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki versions between 6.3-milestone-2 to 14.10.15 and 15.0-rc-1 to 15.5.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in their wikis.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by requesting specific fields from Solr that exclude data for the right check, allowing unauthorized users to access the content of documents they do not have explicit permission to view.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-48241, immediate actions and long-term security practices should be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their XWiki installations to versions 15.6RC1, 15.5.1, or 14.10.15, where the vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, review access controls and restrict access to sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a robust access control mechanism within XWiki to prevent unauthorized access to critical documents. Regularly monitor for security patches and updates to stay protected from potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates provided by XWiki to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-48241 and strengthen the overall security posture of the platform.