Description
XWiki Platform is vulnerable to HQL injection via wiki and space search REST API
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-32540
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability identified in the XWiki Platform, specifically an HQL (Hibernate Query Language) injection via the wiki and space search REST API, is critical. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) base score of 9.3 indicates a high severity level. The scoring vector CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N breaks down as follows:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal skill or resources.
- Authentication (AT): None (N) - No authentication is required to exploit the vulnerability.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No special privileges are needed.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
- Confidentiality Impact (VC): High (H) - There is a significant impact on the confidentiality of data.
- Integrity Impact (VI): High (H) - There is a significant impact on the integrity of data.
- Availability Impact (VA): High (H) - There is a significant impact on the availability of the system.
- Scope Change (SC): None (N) - The vulnerability does not change the security scope.
- Secondary Impact (SI): None (N) - There are no secondary impacts.
- Secondary Availability (SA): None (N) - There are no secondary availability impacts.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector is through the wiki and space search REST API. An attacker can inject malicious HQL queries to manipulate the database, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. Exploitation methods may include:
- SQL Injection: Crafting HQL queries to extract sensitive information.
- Data Manipulation: Altering database entries to disrupt service or inject malicious content.
- Denial of Service (DoS): Overloading the database with complex queries to degrade performance.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of the XWiki Platform:
- 17.0.0-rc-1 to 17.4.2
- 4.3-milestone-1 to 16.10.9
Organizations using these versions are at risk and should prioritize updates or patches.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:
-
Immediate Patching: Apply the latest patches provided by XWiki. The relevant commits are:
-
Input Validation: Implement robust input validation and sanitization for all user inputs, especially those directed to the REST API.
-
Access Controls: Enforce strict access controls and authentication mechanisms for API endpoints.
-
Monitoring and Logging: Enhance monitoring and logging to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
-
Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations within the European Union that rely on the XWiki Platform for collaborative work and knowledge management. Given the high severity and the potential for data breaches, integrity violations, and service disruptions, this vulnerability could have far-reaching implications, including:
- Data Protection Violations: Potential breaches of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) due to unauthorized data access.
- Operational Disruptions: Service outages and data corruption affecting business continuity.
- Reputation Damage: Loss of trust from customers and partners due to security incidents.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are crucial:
- Vulnerability Type: HQL Injection
- Affected Component: Wiki and space search REST API
- Exploitation Method: Injection of malicious HQL queries
- Detection: Monitor for unusual database queries and API request patterns.
- Mitigation: Implement WAF (Web Application Firewall) rules to block suspicious queries.
- References:
Conclusion
The HQL injection vulnerability in the XWiki Platform is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems, implementing robust security measures, and maintaining vigilant monitoring to mitigate risks. The potential impact on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability underscores the urgency of addressing this vulnerability promptly.