CVE-2005-4501 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.5.4 uses a hard-coded "internal placeholder string", which allows remote attackers to bypass protection against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and execute Javascript using inline style attributes, which are processed by Internet Explorer.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4501 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.5.4 that specifically targets the browser's handling of inline style attributes. This weakness stems from the software's implementation of a hard-coded internal placeholder string that fails to properly sanitize user input when processing style declarations. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject JavaScript code through inline style attributes, bypassing the application's built-in XSS protection mechanisms. When Internet Explorer processes these malicious style attributes, it executes the embedded JavaScript code, potentially allowing attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims who view the compromised content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of inline style attributes in HTML elements, where the hard-coded placeholder string does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could trigger script execution. This issue specifically affects Internet Explorer's rendering engine, which processes inline styles differently than other browsers, making the attack vector particularly dangerous in environments where IE is the primary browser. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient output encoding where the application fails to properly escape characters that could be interpreted as executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it allows attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft specially formatted content that, when viewed by a victim using Internet Explorer, would execute JavaScript code that steals cookies, modifies page content, or redirects users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's persistence in the application's core processing logic means that all users of affected MediaWiki versions are at risk, regardless of their role or privileges within the system. This makes it particularly dangerous for collaborative platforms where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content or where administrators might unknowingly publish compromised material.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to MediaWiki version 1.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the hard-coded placeholder string issue. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including strict content filtering, regular security audits of user-generated content, and browser-side security configurations that limit the execution of inline scripts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough code review processes and the importance of addressing security concerns in all aspects of web application development, particularly in content management systems that handle user-generated content.