CVE-2023-29523: Xwiki platform oldcore XWiki Platform Vulnerable To Code Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-x764-ff8r-9hpx
CVSS 9.9
CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-29523 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.9) xwiki platform vulnerable to code vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')) affecting Xwiki platform oldcore libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves xwiki platform vulnerable to code injection in display method used in user profiles. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2.

CVE-2023-29523 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-29523
GHSA Identifier GHSA-x764-ff8r-9hpx
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.9
CWE Classification CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Product Xwiki platform oldcore
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.9

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2023-29523

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Xwiki platform oldcore dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore fixed: 13.10.11
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwiki-platform-oldcore</artifactId>
    <version>13.10.11</version>
</dependency>
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore fixed: 14.4.8
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwiki-platform-oldcore</artifactId>
    <version>14.4.8</version>
</dependency>
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore fixed: 14.10.2
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
    <artifactId>xwiki-platform-oldcore</artifactId>
    <version>14.10.2</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.xwiki.platform

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-29523, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.xwiki.platform

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Xwiki platform oldcore in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 13.10.11), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.xwiki.platform command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. In Xwiki platform oldcore, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact Any user who can edit their own user profile can execute arbitrary script macros including Groovy and Python macros that allow remote code execution including unrestricted read and write access to all wiki contents. The following syntax, to be put, e.g., in the about section of the user profile, demonstrates a proof of concept: ``` {{html wiki="true"}}~{~{~/~h~t~m~l~}~}~ ~{~{~c~a~c~h~e~}~}~{~{~g~r~o~o~v~y~}~}~p~r~i~n~t~l~n~(~1~)~{~{~/~g~r~o~o~v~y~}~}~{~{~/~c~a~c~h~e~}~}~{{/html}} ``` While it would be expected that the above code is displayed just without the `~`, in fact just "1" is displayed, followed by a lot of raw HTML code. The same vulnerability can also be exploited in other contexts where the `display` method on a document is used to display a field with wiki syntax, for example in applications created using [App Within Minutes](https://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/App%20Within%20Minutes%20Application). ### Patches This has been patched in XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2 and 15.0RC1. ### Workarounds There is no workaround apart from upgrading. ### References * https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-20327 * https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/0d547181389f7941e53291af940966413823f61c ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [Jira XWiki.org](https://jira.xwiki.org/) * Email us at [Security Mailing List](mailto:security@xwiki.org)

CVE-2023-29523 Affected Xwiki platform oldcore Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
13.10.1114.4.814.10.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore
Maven
≥ 3.3-milestone-1
< 13.10.11
13.10.11
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore
Maven
≥ 14.0-rc-1
< 14.4.8
14.4.8
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore
Maven
≥ 14.5
< 14.10.2
14.10.2

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-29523?
CVE-2023-29523 is a security vulnerability in Xwiki platform oldcore involving XWiki Platform vulnerable to code injection in display method used in user profiles under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection').
Which Xwiki platform oldcore versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2 across affected packages: org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore.
What version fixes CVE-2023-29523?
Upgrading to 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is xwiki-platform-oldcore affected?
Yes, org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore is affected in releases prior to 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2. Upgrade your dependency to 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-29523?
CVE-2023-29523 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.9 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-29523?
CVE-2023-29523 is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-29523?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.xwiki.platform'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-x764-ff8r-9hpx",
  "modified" : "2023-04-20T22:16:45Z",
  "published" : "2023-04-20T22:16:45Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-29523" ],
  "summary" : "XWiki Platform vulnerable to code injection in display method used in user profiles",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nAny user who can edit their own user profile can execute arbitrary script macros including Groovy and Python macros that allow remote code execution including unrestricted read and write access to all wiki contents. The following syntax, to be put, e.g., in the about section of the user profile, demonstrates a proof of concept:\n\n```\n{{html wiki=\"true\"}}~{~{~/~h~t~m~l~}~}~ ~{~{~c~a~c~h~e~}~}~{~{~g~r~o~o~v~y~}~}~p~r~i~n~t~l~n~(~1~)~{~{~/~g~r~o~o~v~y~}~}~{~{~/~c~a~c~h~e~}~}~{{/html}}\n```\n\nWhile it would be expected that the above code is displayed just without the `~`, in fact just \"1\" is displayed, followed by a lot of raw HTML code. The same vulnerability can also be exploited in other contexts where the `display` method on a document is used to display a field with wiki syntax, for example in applications created using [App Within Minutes](https://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/App%20Within%20Minutes%20Application).\n\n### Patches\nThis has been patched in XWiki 13.10.11, 14.4.8, 14.10.2 and 15.0RC1.\n\n### Workarounds\nThere is no workaround apart from upgrading.\n\n### References\n* https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-20327\n* https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/0d547181389f7941e53291af940966413823f61c\n\n### For more information\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Open an issue in [Jira XWiki.org](https://jira.xwiki.org/)\n* Email us at [Security Mailing List](mailto:security@xwiki.org)\n",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.3-milestone-1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "13.10.11"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "14.0-rc-1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "14.4.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "14.5"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "14.10.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-x764-ff8r-9hpx"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29523"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/0d547181389f7941e53291af940966413823f61c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/App%20Within%20Minutes%20Application"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-20327"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-04-20T22:16:45Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-04-19T00:15:08Z"
  }
}