Skip to main content

Boteraser | Website and Server Security Solutions

🛡️ CVE-2023-33977 — kiwi-tcms

🟠 CVSS 8.1 — High ⚠️ Exploit Public CWE-79 NVD
8.1
CVSS Score
0 Low4 Medium7 High9 Critical10

Description

kiwitcms vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting via unrestricted file upload

Impact

Kiwi TCMS allows users to upload attachments to test plans, test cases, etc. Earlier versions of Kiwi TCMS had introduced upload validators in order to prevent potentially dangerous files from being uploaded and Content-Security-Policy definition to prevent cross-site-scripting attacks.

The upload validation checks were not 100% robust which left the possibility to circumvent them and upload a potentially dangerous file which allows execution of arbitrary JavaScript in the browser. Additionally we've discovered that Nginx's proxy_pass directive will strip some headers negating protections built into Kiwi TCMS when served behind a reverse proxy.

Patches

  • Improved file upload validation code
  • Updated Nginx reverse proxy configuration for *.tenant.kiwitcms.org

Workarounds

If serving Kiwi TCMS behind a reverse proxy make sure that additional header values are still passed to the client browser. If they aren't redefine them inside the proxy configuration. See [etc/nginx.conf#L66-L68](https://github.com/kiwitcms/Kiwi/blob/master/etc/nginx.conf#L66-L68) and [etc/nginx.conf#L87](https://github.com/kiwitcms/Kiwi/blob/master/etc/nginx.conf#L87)

References

Disclosed by [M Nadeem Qazi](https://huntr.dev/bounties/6aea9a26-e29a-467b-aa5a-f767f0c2ec96/).

How this vulnerability can be exploited

This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs no privileges on the target. A user must be tricked into taking some action. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality high, integrity high, availability none.

CVSS metrics in full

The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

  • Attack vector: Network — reachable from anywhere that can route to the service.
  • Attack complexity: Low — the attack works reliably, with no preparation.
  • Privileges required: None — an unauthenticated stranger can try it.
  • User interaction: Required — someone has to click, open or visit something.
  • Scope: Unchanged — the damage stays inside the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High — total loss, or loss the attacker controls.
  • Integrity impact: High — total loss, or loss the attacker controls.
  • Availability impact: None.

Weakness class

CVE-2023-33977 is classified as CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting (XSS). User-supplied data is written into a page without escaping, so attacker script runs in the browser of anyone who views it.

Affected software

CVE-2023-33977 is recorded against 2 packages.

  • kiwi-tcms (fixed in 12.3)
  • kiwitcms (fixed in 12.4)

Timeline and source

Published on 6 June 2023 and last revised on 17 June 2026. A public exploit is known to exist, which raises the urgency of patching considerably. A vendor advisory or fix has been published. Record sourced from NVD.

References

github.com
github.com
github.com
github.com
huntr.dev
github.com
github.com
github.com
github.com
huntr.dev

Other advisories for this package

kiwi-tcms has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:

Same weakness in other software

These advisories are the same class of weakness (CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting (XSS)) in other software:

Details

Severity HIGH
CVSS Score 8.1
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CWE CWE-79
Public Exploit ⚠️ Yes
Source NVD
Published 2023-06-06
Updated 2026-08-20
Modified 2026-06-17

Affected Packages

Software From version Fixed in
kiwi-tcms — 12.3
kiwitcms — 12.4

References

Exploit, Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory https://huntr.dev/bounties/6aea9a26-e29a-467b-aa5a-f767f0c2ec96/
Exploit, Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory https://huntr.dev/bounties/6aea9a26-e29a-467b-aa5a-f767f0c2ec96/

Similar Threats

Exploit Protection

Are you running kiwi-tcms?

CVE-2023-33977 carries CVSS 8.1 High rating and a public exploit already exists. BotEraser checks your installation against this and other known CVE records, and blocks IPs associated with exploit activity.

Check My Site For CVE-2023-33977 →

No credit card required  ·  Results in minutes

ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.

Browse related advisories

All advisoriesCVECVE 2023
✓