Source: cve@mitre.org
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in XWiki Enterprise before 2.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
XWiki Enterprise versions prior to 2.5 are vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This vulnerability could lead to account compromise, data theft, or website defacement by executing arbitrary JavaScript within the context of the vulnerable application.
Step 1: Payload Injection: The attacker crafts a malicious JavaScript payload (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>) and injects it into a specific input field or parameter within XWiki Enterprise. The exact injection vector is unspecified in the CVE description, but common vectors include form fields, URL parameters, or comments.
Step 2: Data Storage/Persistence (if applicable): If the vulnerability allows for persistent XSS, the injected payload is stored within the application's database or other data storage mechanism. This means the payload will be executed every time the affected page is loaded.
Step 3: Victim Interaction: A legitimate user accesses the vulnerable page or resource within XWiki Enterprise. This could be a page containing the injected payload or a page that processes the attacker's malicious input.
Step 4: Payload Execution: The XWiki Enterprise application renders the page, including the attacker's injected JavaScript payload. Because the input was not properly sanitized, the browser executes the JavaScript within the context of the XWiki Enterprise domain.
Step 5: Attack Execution: The injected JavaScript executes, allowing the attacker to perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting the user to a phishing site, defacing the website, or executing other malicious activities.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within XWiki Enterprise. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into input fields or other areas where user-provided content is displayed. The lack of proper HTML escaping or contextual output encoding allows the injected script to execute within the victim's browser, enabling a wide range of attacks. The root cause is likely a missing or inadequate implementation of security best practices related to handling user input and output.
Due to the generic nature of the XSS vulnerability, it's difficult to attribute it to specific Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). However, XSS vulnerabilities are commonly used by a wide range of threat actors, including those focused on credential harvesting, data exfiltration, and website defacement. This vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, but the potential for exploitation remains high.
Monitor web server logs for suspicious HTTP requests containing JavaScript payloads in URL parameters, form data, or other input fields.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules to detect and block malicious payloads.
Analyze network traffic for unusual JavaScript execution patterns or redirects.
Inspect the application's source code for instances of unsanitized user input being rendered in the output.
Use a vulnerability scanner to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities.
Upgrade to XWiki Enterprise version 2.5 or later.
Implement proper input validation to sanitize all user-supplied data, ensuring that only expected data types and formats are accepted.
Implement output encoding (e.g., HTML escaping) to prevent the execution of malicious scripts when rendering user-supplied data in the browser.
Use a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the sources from which the browser can load resources, mitigating the impact of XSS attacks.
Regularly scan the application for vulnerabilities and apply security patches promptly.
Review and update security configurations, including WAF rules and access controls.