CVE-2023-28836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Wagtail, an open-source content management system built on Django. The vulnerability allows for a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack via ModelAdmin views within the Wagtail admin interface.

Understanding CVE-2023-28836

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2023-28836 vulnerability in Wagtail.

What is CVE-2023-28836?

The CVE-2023-28836 vulnerability in Wagtail enables a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack through ModelAdmin views. Specifically, users with limited-permission editor accounts could create pages and documents that, when accessed by users with higher privileges, may lead to unauthorized actions being taken with the higher privileged user's credentials.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28836

This vulnerability poses a risk to Wagtail sites with ModelAdmin enabled. While it is not exploitable by regular site visitors without Wagtail admin access, it can potentially lead to security breaches when manipulated by users with certain permissions. The impact includes the unauthorized execution of actions using another user's credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28836

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28836.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in ModelAdmin views within the Wagtail admin interface, affecting versions prior to Wagtail 4.1.4 and 4.2.2. It specifically affects the "Choose a parent page" ModelAdmin view for pages and the ModelAdmin Inspect view for documents.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of Wagtail from 1.5 to 4.2.2 are impacted by this vulnerability, with specific affected versions outlined for each release.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious pages and documents under the guise of limited-permission editor accounts. These manipulated pages may execute unauthorized actions when viewed by users with higher privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28836, site owners and administrators can take the following steps to mitigate the risk and enhance security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Wagtail to patched versions, namely Wagtail 4.1.4 and 4.2.2, to address the vulnerability. Additionally, for those unable to upgrade immediately, disabling or overriding the vulnerable functionality is recommended as a temporary measure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls, regularly reviewing and updating permissions, and conducting security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant about software updates and promptly applying security patches provided by Wagtail is crucial to maintaining a secure environment and safeguarding against known vulnerabilities.