CVE-2004-2186 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in MediaWiki 1.3.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via SpecialMaintenance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The CVE-2004-2186 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in MediaWiki version 1.3.5, specifically affecting the SpecialMaintenance feature. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms and allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands through improperly sanitized user inputs. The flaw occurs when the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a maintenance feature that is often accessible to authenticated users, though the attack can potentially be executed by unauthenticated actors depending on the specific configuration. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted parameters to the SpecialMaintenance page, which then gets processed by the application's sql engine without proper sanitization, enabling the execution of unauthorized database commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection weakness that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The flaw operates by bypassing the application's expected input handling processes and directly manipulating the sql query structure through user-controllable parameters. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify application logic, or even gain shell access to the underlying server if database credentials are sufficiently privileged. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious sql payloads that are designed to bypass any existing input filters and inject additional sql commands that the database will execute with the privileges of the application's database user account.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2186 is severe for any organization running affected MediaWiki installations, as it provides attackers with direct database access capabilities that can result in complete system compromise. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized modifications to wiki content, loss of user data, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability can be exploited to extract sensitive information including user credentials, application configuration details, and other confidential data stored within the database. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability enables persistent access to the system and can serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack can be automated and executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing wikis or those that do not properly restrict access to maintenance functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2186 should focus on immediate patching of the affected MediaWiki version to the latest available secure release, which addresses the sql injection vulnerability through proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing, following the principle of least privilege for database accounts used by the application. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit access to maintenance functions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access SpecialMaintenance pages. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect suspicious sql queries and unauthorized access attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access and potentially escalate privileges through database operations. The vulnerability also aligns with the NIST cybersecurity framework's protecting and detecting functions, emphasizing the need for proper application security controls and continuous monitoring of system activities.