CVE-2005-2215 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MediaWiki before 1.4.x before 1.4.6 and 1.5 before 1.5beta3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a parameter in the page move template, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1888.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2215 represents a cross-site scripting flaw that affected MediaWiki versions prior to 1.4.6 and 1.5beta3. This issue specifically targeted the page move template functionality within the wiki platform, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates by manipulating input parameters within the page move template, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code that would then be executed when other users view the affected pages.
This particular XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The flaw demonstrates how web applications can fail to properly sanitize user input, particularly when processing template parameters that are intended to be used for administrative functions like page movement within a wiki system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it could potentially enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for MediaWiki deployments, as it could allow attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to wiki content. When users with appropriate privileges perform page move operations, the malicious code injected through the vulnerable parameter would execute in their browsers, creating opportunities for session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a different issue than CVE-2005-1888 indicates that it represents a distinct attack vector within the same software ecosystem, highlighting the complexity of XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released with MediaWiki versions 1.4.6 and 1.5beta3, which included proper input sanitization and parameter validation for the page move template functionality. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, employ content security policies to restrict script execution, and conduct regular security assessments of web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for script injection, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in preventing such attacks. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious parameter values, and ensuring that all users have appropriate access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to wiki pages.