CVE-2005-3165 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MediaWiki before 1.4.9 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) <math> tags or (2) Extension or <nowiki> sections that "bypass HTML style attribute restrictions" that are intended to protect against XSS vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer clients.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3165 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting MediaWiki versions prior to 1.4.9. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the wiki platform's handling of mathematical notation and extension elements. The flaw specifically targets the HTML rendering process where certain tags and sections are not properly sanitized, creating exploitable pathways for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into wiki pages. The security implications extend particularly to Internet Explorer clients due to the specific HTML style attribute restrictions that are bypassed in these vulnerable configurations.
The technical exploitation occurs through two primary vectors: the <math> tags and Extension or <nowiki> sections within MediaWiki's markup system. When users create mathematical content using the <math> tag or utilize extension functionality, the application fails to adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. The bypass of HTML style attribute restrictions means that even when the system attempts to sanitize content by removing potentially dangerous attributes, attackers can circumvent these protections by placing malicious code within the mathematical notation or extension sections where such restrictions do not apply. This creates a persistent security gap that allows attackers to inject scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables remote attackers to execute malicious code against users of affected MediaWiki installations. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of wiki content, and potential redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects all users who view pages containing maliciously crafted mathematical notation or extension content, making it particularly dangerous for collaborative platforms where multiple users contribute and access content regularly. The attack vector requires no special privileges from the attacker, as the vulnerability exists within the application's core rendering mechanisms rather than requiring user-specific access or authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrading to MediaWiki version 1.4.9 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and filtering mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies that restrict script execution and implement proper input validation at multiple layers within their web applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization that enables code injection attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious content injection, and T1059, covering the execution of malicious code through web-based attack vectors. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments.