CVE-2023-48240 : What You Need to Know

XWiki Platform sends cookies to external images in rendered diff and is vulnerable to server-side request forgery.

Understanding CVE-2023-48240

XWiki Platform, a generic wiki platform, is affected by a vulnerability that allows an attacker to steal login and session cookies, leading to potential impersonation and server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks.

What is CVE-2023-48240?

XWiki Platform embeds images in rendered diffs to compare content but sends requests to external images on the server side, including all cookies from the original request. This behavior can be exploited in certain versions to steal cookies and perform SSRF, potentially exposing sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48240

The vulnerability in XWiki Platform versions prior to 14.10.15, 15.5.1, and 15.6 allows malicious actors to steal login credentials, conduct SSRF attacks, and view protected content, posing significant risks to user privacy and system security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48240

XWiki Platform vulnerability arises from the improper handling of cookies when requesting external images, leading to potential data theft and SSRF exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw enables malicious entities to steal login and session cookies, perform SSRF attacks, and access restricted content by triggering requests to external images in the rendered diffs.

Affected Systems and Versions

XWiki Platform versions >= 11.10.1 and < 14.10.15, 15.0-rc-1, 15.5.1, and 15.6 are impacted by this vulnerability that allows for cookie theft and SSRF attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by embedding images that reference rendered diffs, triggering requests to external images and intercepting cookies to impersonate users and launch SSRF attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-48240, immediate action and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update XWiki Platform to versions 14.10.15, 15.5.1, or 15.6 to patch the vulnerability. Alternatively, disabling the image embedding feature can serve as a temporary workaround by removing specific jar files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating XWiki Platform and implementing secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Ensuring images are only downloaded from trusted domains and refining cookie handling protocols are crucial for enhanced security.

Patching and Updates

It is imperative for organizations to apply the latest patches provided by XWiki to address CVE-2023-48240 and protect their systems from potential exploitation.