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GHSA-h8cm-3v5f-rgp6

MediumCVSS 5.4 / 10
Published Aug 21, 2023·Last modified Nov 8, 2023
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Impact

Any registered user can exploit a stored XSS through their user profile by setting the payload as the value of the time zone user preference. Even though the time zone is selected from a drop down (no free text value) it can still be set from JavaScript (using the browser developer tools) or by calling the save URL on the user profile with the right query string. Once the time zone is set it is displayed without escaping which means the payload gets executed for any user that visits the malicious user profile, allowing the attacker to steal information and even gain more access rights (escalation to programming rights).

The problem is present since version 4.1M2 when the time zone user preference was introduced.

Patches

The issue has been fixed in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1RC1 by https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d11ca5d781f8a42a85bc98eb82306c1431e764d4 . The main fix is in the displayer_timezone.vm precisely at this line:

$!escapetool.xml($value)

By escaping the displayed time zone value we make sure the attacker's payload is not executed.

Workarounds

If you want to fix this problem on older versions of XWiki that have not been patched then you need to edit displayer_timezone.vm and escape the displayed time zone value here:

- $!value
+ $!escapetool.xml($value)

References

  • JIRA issue https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-20276
  • Fix https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d11ca5d781f8a42a85bc98eb82306c1431e764d4

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Attribution

This vulnerability has been found and reported by @michitux .

Risk Scores
Base Score
5.4

The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a low impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a low impact on the integrity of the data.

Threat Intelligence
5.0

Exploitation attempts have been detected. Elevated vigilance and prompt remediation are advised.

EPSS
78.88%

The exploit probability is very high. The vulnerability is very likely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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