CVE-2021-29459: Xwiki platform oldcore Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2021-29459 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.6) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Xwiki platform oldcore libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves xss cross site scripting. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 12.6.3, 12.8.
CVE-2021-29459 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.6
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L).
How to Fix CVE-2021-29459
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.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
<artifactId>xwiki-platform-oldcore</artifactId>
<version>12.6.3</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
<artifactId>xwiki-platform-oldcore</artifactId>
<version>12.8</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
<artifactId>xwiki-platform-web</artifactId>
<version>12.6.3</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.xwiki.platform</groupId>
<artifactId>xwiki-platform-web</artifactId>
<version>12.8</version>
</dependency>
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-2021-29459, 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 12.6.3), 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-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. 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
CVE-2021-29459 Affected Xwiki platform oldcore Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore
|
Maven |
< 12.6.3
|
12.6.3
|
|
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore
|
Maven |
≥ 12.6.4
< 12.8
|
12.8
|
|
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web
|
Maven |
< 12.6.3
|
12.6.3
|
|
org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web
|
Maven |
≥ 12.6.4
< 12.8
|
12.8
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-29459?
Which Xwiki platform oldcore versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-29459?
Is xwiki-platform-oldcore affected?
Is xwiki-platform-web affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29459?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29459?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-29459?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-5c66-v29h-xjh8",
"modified" : "2021-04-20T18:36:33Z",
"published" : "2021-04-22T16:11:55Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-29459" ],
"summary" : "XSS Cross Site Scripting",
"details" : "### Impact\nIt is possible to persistently inject scripts in XWiki.\n\nFor unregistred users:\n- By filling simple text fields\n\nFor registered users:\n- By filling their personal information\n- (if they have edit rights) By filling the values of static lists using App Within Minutes\n\nThat can lead to user's session hijacking, and if used in conjunction with a social engineering attack it can also lead to disclosure of sensitive data, CSRF attacks and other security vulnerabilities.\nThat can also lead to the attacker taking over an account.\nIf the victim has administrative rights it might even lead to code execution on the server, depending on the application and the privileges of the account.\n### Patches\nIt has been patched on XWiki 12.8 and 12.6.3.\n\n### Workarounds\nThere is no easy workaround except upgrading XWiki.\n\n### References\nhttps://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-17374\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n * Open an issue in [Jira XWiki](https://jira.xwiki.org)\n * Email us at our [security mailing list](mailto:security@xwiki.org)",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "12.6.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-oldcore"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "12.6.4"
}, {
"fixed" : "12.8"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "12.6.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-web"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "12.6.4"
}, {
"fixed" : "12.8"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-5c66-v29h-xjh8"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29459"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2021-04-20T18:36:33Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-04-20T19:15:00Z"
}
}