CVE-2023-48293 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-48293, a vulnerability in the XWiki Admin Tools Application that allows for arbitrary database queries.

Understanding CVE-2023-48293

CVE-2023-48293 is a cross-site request forgery vulnerability in the XWiki Admin Tools Application, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary database queries and potentially impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire XWiki instance.

What is CVE-2023-48293?

The XWiki Admin Tools Application pre-version 4.5.1 is susceptible to a CSRF vulnerability that permits the execution of malicious database queries, posing a severe risk to the integrity of the XWiki platform.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48293

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in the modification, deletion, or exposure of sensitive data within the XWiki instance, enabling attackers to manipulate wiki content and potentially gain elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48293

CVE-2023-48293 is categorized as a High severity vulnerability with a CVSS base score of 8.8. The attack complexity is low, but the confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high. User interaction is required for exploitation, making it crucial to address this issue promptly.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the query on XWiki tool allows attackers to craft malicious requests that lead to unauthorized database queries, posing a significant risk to the overall security of the XWiki instance.

Affected Systems and Versions

The XWiki Admin Tools Application versions prior to 4.5.1 are impacted by this vulnerability, highlighting the importance of updating to the patched version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging CSRF techniques, attackers can trick users into executing unauthorized database queries, potentially leading to data manipulation, deletion, and unauthorized privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate action to address CVE-2023-48293 is crucial to safeguard the security and integrity of the XWiki platform. Here are some recommended steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the XWiki Admin Tools Application to version 4.5.1 or newer to apply the necessary security patches.
Implement form token checks to prevent CSRF attacks and unauthorized database queries.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from XWiki to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any security weaknesses proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply the provided patch to the affected pages manually if updating to version 4.5.1 is not immediately feasible.
Consider disabling the query tool if it is not essential to the operations of the XWiki instance, by removing the

Admin.SQLToolsGroovy

document.