CVE-2007-0788 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MediaWiki 1.9.x before 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to "sortable tables JavaScript."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0788 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within MediaWiki version 1.9.x prior to 1.9.2. This issue specifically targets the sortable tables JavaScript functionality that enables users to create interactive table structures within wiki pages. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the MediaWiki codebase, particularly when processing user-generated content that includes JavaScript code within table elements. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected wiki pages containing the malicious content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of JavaScript code within MediaWiki's table sorting functionality, which is designed to enhance user experience by allowing dynamic table manipulation. When users create tables with sortable features, the system processes and renders JavaScript code that controls the sorting behavior. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into the JavaScript execution context. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to embed malicious scripts within table structures, which then execute whenever other users access pages containing these tables. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft malicious tables that, when viewed by other users, would execute scripts to steal cookies or session tokens, effectively compromising user accounts. The vulnerability also permits the execution of arbitrary HTML content, potentially allowing attackers to display malicious advertisements or redirect users to phishing sites. Given that MediaWiki is widely used for collaborative platforms, wikis, and documentation systems, the potential attack surface is extensive, affecting organizations, educational institutions, and businesses that rely on these systems for information sharing and collaboration.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to MediaWiki 1.9.2 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. The fix typically involves enhanced input validation and proper output encoding of user-supplied content within JavaScript contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and employ web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation. Additionally, this issue underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the codebase.