CVE-2024-55879: XWiki allows RCE from script right in configurable sections

Should you act?

Critical, preconditions apply

Severe if exploited, but exploitation needs conditions that may not apply to you. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Not in CISA KEV, but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
• EPSS 1.1%, percentile 64: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.1% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 64% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs an account (high (admin)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
• Only applies if your dependency tree includes org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-administration-ui (Maven) >= 2.3, < 15.10.9, fixed in 15.10.9; org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-administration-ui (Maven) >= 16.0.0-rc-1, < 16.3.0, fixed in 16.3.0. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

What it is

XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform. Starting in version 2.3 and prior to versions 15.10.9, 16.3.0, any user with script rights can perform arbitrary remote code execution by adding instances of XWiki.ConfigurableClass to any page. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the whole XWiki installation. This has been patched in XWiki 15.10.9 and 16.3.0. No known workarounds are available except upgrading.

From the GitHub advisory

Impact Any user with script rights can perform arbitrary remote code execution by adding instances of XWiki.ConfigurableClass to any page. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the whole XWiki installation.

To reproduce on a instance, as a user with script rights, edit your user profile and add an object of type XWiki.ConfigurableClass ("Custom configurable sections"). Set "Display in section" and "Display in category" to other, "Scope" to Wiki and all spaces and "Heading" to:

Save the page and view it, then add ?sheet=XWiki.AdminSheet&viewer=content&section=other to the URL. If the logs contain "attacker - Attack from Heading succeeded!", then the instance is vulnerable.

Patches This has been patched in XWiki 15.10.9 and 16.3.0.

Workarounds We're not aware of any workaround except upgrading.

Weakness type: CWE-862.

Product: org.xwiki.platform:xwiki-platform-administration-ui (Maven) · Assigned by: GitHub_M · Published: 2024-12-12

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: high (admin)
• User interaction: none
• Scope: changed (can affect other components)

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 1.07% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 64.

Timeline

• 2024-12-12 — CVE record published by GitHub_M
• 2024-12-12 — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-r279-47wg-chpr published (critical)
• 2024-12-13 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vulnerability records

1. GitHub Advisory GHSA-r279-47wg-chpr github.com
2. CVE.org record CVE-2024-55879 cve.org
3. NVD entry CVE-2024-55879 nvd.nist.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. github.com github.com
2. github.com github.com
3. jira.xwiki.org jira.xwiki.org
4. github.com github.com

Critical Maven advisories · Today’s Security Digest