CVE-2024-31981
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote code execution in XWiki Platform via PDF export templates. Attackers can execute arbitrary code on affected XWiki instances by exploiting template injection. All XWiki installations using versions 3.0.1 through 14.10.19, 15.0 through 15.5.3, or 15.6 through 15.9 are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- XWiki Platform
📦 What is this software?
Xwiki by Xwiki
Xwiki by Xwiki
Xwiki by Xwiki
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, install malware, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or deployment of ransomware/cryptominers.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege, and monitoring are in place, potentially containing the breach to the XWiki server.
🎯 Exploit Status
The advisory suggests remote exploitation is possible, and the CVSS score of 9.9 indicates low attack complexity with high impact.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 14.10.20, 15.5.4, 15.10-rc-1
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-vxwr-wpjv-qjq7
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your XWiki instance. 2. Download and install patched version (14.10.20, 15.5.4, or 15.10-rc-1). 3. Restart the XWiki service. 4. Verify the patch is applied by checking the version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Block PDFClass editing
allCreate XWiki.PDFClass document and block its editing to prevent template injection.
Create document 'XWiki.PDFClass' with no style attribute
Set document permissions to block editing
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable PDF export functionality entirely if not needed
- Implement strict network controls to limit access to XWiki instance
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check XWiki version against affected ranges: 3.0.1-14.10.19, 15.0-15.5.3, or 15.6-15.9Check Version:
Check XWiki administration panel or view /xwiki/bin/view/Main/AboutVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 14.10.20, 15.5.4, or 15.10-rc-1 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual PDF export requests
- Suspicious template modifications
- Unexpected system command execution
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from XWiki server
- PDF export requests with malicious payloads
SIEM Query:
source="xwiki" AND (event="pdf_export" OR event="template_modification")🔗 References
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/480186f9d2fca880513da8bc5a609674d106cbd3
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/a4ad14d9c1605a5ab957237e505ebbb29f5b9d73
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d28e21a670c69880b951e415dd2ddd69d273eae9
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-vxwr-wpjv-qjq7
- https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-21337
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/480186f9d2fca880513da8bc5a609674d106cbd3
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/a4ad14d9c1605a5ab957237e505ebbb29f5b9d73
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/commit/d28e21a670c69880b951e415dd2ddd69d273eae9
- https://github.com/xwiki/xwiki-platform/security/advisories/GHSA-vxwr-wpjv-qjq7
- https://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-21337
