CVE-2005-1245 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MediaWiki before 1.4.2, when using HTML Tidy ($wgUseTidy), allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1245 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting MediaWiki versions prior to 1.4.2 when the HTML Tidy feature is enabled through the $wgUseTidy configuration parameter. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses. The flaw specifically manifests when MediaWiki processes user input through its HTML Tidy integration, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within MediaWiki's content processing pipeline. When $wgUseTidy is enabled, the application utilizes the HTML Tidy library to clean and format HTML content submitted by users. However, the integration process fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered back to end users, creating a pathway for attackers to embed malicious scripts. The vulnerability's vector remains unspecified in the original description, indicating that the flaw could potentially be exploited through multiple entry points within the wiki's content management system, including page editing, comment submission, or user-generated content areas.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Given that MediaWiki installations often serve as collaborative platforms for organizations, the exploitation of this vulnerability could compromise entire user bases within a wiki environment. Attackers could craft malicious content that appears legitimate to users, making detection difficult while simultaneously gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources. The vulnerability's presence in widely-used wiki platforms means that successful exploitation could affect numerous organizations simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected MediaWiki installations to version 1.4.2 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through improved input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also consider disabling the $wgUseTidy configuration parameter if the functionality is not essential to their wiki operations, as this would eliminate the attack surface associated with the vulnerable HTML Tidy integration. Additionally, implementing comprehensive content security policies, regular security audits of user-generated content, and enhanced input validation measures can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, specifically targeting web-based command and scripting interpreters, and represents a critical weakness that requires immediate attention in any production MediaWiki environment.