CVE-2025-24893 is a critical vulnerability affecting the XWiki platform, specifically allowing arbitrary remote code execution through the SolrSearch component. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe risk to organizations using XWiki. The severity level is crucial, as exploitation could lead to unauthorized access and control over the entire XWiki installation.
Any guest can trigger this vulnerability without authentication, posing a significant threat. The attack vector is network-based, and the low complexity of the required attack increases the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability. Risk to organizations includes compromised confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.
Currently, it is known that this vulnerability has been exploited in the wild, and it is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard their environments.
The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2025, and is classified under CWE-94 (Code Injection) and CWE-95 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement). Users are advised to upgrade to the patched versions XWiki 15.10.11, 16.4.1, or 16.5.0RC1 to mitigate the risk.
Vulnerability Details
The XWiki Platform is a versatile wiki platform providing runtime services for various applications. The vulnerability allows remote code execution through a crafted request to the SolrSearch component. Users can reproduce the vulnerability using a specific crafted URL, which, when accessed, can expose the server to arbitrary code execution if the title of the RSS feed reflects the executed command.
The CVSS version 3.1 vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating high impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations using XWiki must ensure that they are on the latest versions to avoid potential exploitation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of Groovy expressions within the SolrSearch macro of XWiki. The attack vector is through network requests that exploit the SolrSearch component without requiring any user authentication. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require prior access or privileges.
Given that no user interaction is required, attackers can easily initiate this attack if they know the vulnerable endpoint. The impact extends to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability, meaning that attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code and manipulate or access sensitive data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk posed by CVE-2025-24893 is substantial, as it allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary code on affected XWiki installations. This vulnerability can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential service disruptions. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.
Organizations should also consider the blast radius of this vulnerability, as it can affect not just individual instances but potentially the entire infrastructure if exploited. The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score and known exploitation in the wild.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of XWiki are all versions prior to 15.10.11, 16.4.1, and 16.5.0RC1. Organizations using XWiki should ensure they are on these patched versions to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-24893, organizations should upgrade their XWiki installations to the latest versions mentioned above. For those unable to upgrade immediately, a temporary workaround involves editing the `Main.SolrSearchMacros` in `SolrSearchMacros.xml` to match the `rawResponse` macro in `macros.vm` with a content type of `application/xml`.
Furthermore, implementing network controls to restrict access to the SolrSearch endpoint can also help mitigate the risk until an upgrade is completed. Regular monitoring for unusual activity related to XWiki installations is advised to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for log indicators associated with access to the SolrSearch endpoint can aid in identifying attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, look for behavioral anomalies indicating unauthorized code execution. Network signatures for known exploit patterns may also assist in detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24893 highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in securing web applications. This vulnerability not only represents a specific flaw in XWiki but reflects a broader trend of code injection vulnerabilities in web platforms. Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their application security measures and regularly review their configurations.
Organizations can benefit from a comprehensive approach to security, which includes regular updates, proactive vulnerability management, and employee training on security best practices. For more insights on application security, consider reviewing our penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management program design resources.
Engaging with external security resources and communities can provide additional insights into emerging threats and effective mitigation strategies. We encourage organizations to stay informed and proactive in their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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