CVE-2023-40176

CVE-2023-40176 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Xwiki with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 79% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-79.

Key facts

Description

XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. 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). This issue is present since version 4.1M2 when the time zone user preference was introduced. The issue has been fixed in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1RC1.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-40176?
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. 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). This issue is present since version 4.1M2 when the time zone user preference was introduced. The issue has been fixed in XWiki 14.10.5 and 15.1RC1.
How severe is CVE-2023-40176?
CVE-2023-40176 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-40176 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 79% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-40176?
CVE-2023-40176 primarily affects Xwiki. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-40176?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-40176 published?
CVE-2023-40176 was published on 2023-08-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

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