CVE-2007-0894 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) Simple.deps.php, (2) MonoBook.deps.php, (3) MySkin.deps.php, or (4) Chick.deps.php in wiki/skins, which shows the installation path in the resulting error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2018
This vulnerability exists in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.9.2 and represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that occurs when attackers make direct requests to specific dependency files within the wiki/skins directory. The affected files include Simple.deps.php, MonoBook.deps.php, MySkin.deps.php, and Chick.deps.php, all of which are part of the MediaWiki skin system. When these files are accessed directly rather than through the proper application workflow, they generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the server's installation path to remote attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and error handling within the MediaWiki application's skin dependency loading mechanism. These dependency files are designed to be included by other PHP scripts within the application's execution flow, not to be accessed directly by end users. However, when accessed directly, they fail to properly validate the request context and instead display standard PHP error messages containing the absolute file path where MediaWiki is installed. This path disclosure occurs because the scripts lack proper access control checks and do not implement the necessary safeguards to prevent direct execution outside of the intended application context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for system security and can provide attackers with crucial information for planning more sophisticated attacks. The disclosed installation path can be used to construct targeted attacks against the specific server environment, potentially revealing version information, file structure, and system configuration details that would otherwise remain hidden. This information can be leveraged by attackers to identify potential exploits specific to the MediaWiki version, understand the server's file system layout, and plan further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a foothold for more advanced exploitation techniques and can facilitate the identification of additional system weaknesses.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines sensitive information exposure as a weakness where an application inadvertently reveals sensitive information to unauthorized users. This weakness is particularly dangerous in web applications where path disclosure can provide attackers with information about the server's file structure and deployment configuration. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to techniques related to reconnaissance and initial access, specifically T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gathering Application Information). Organizations should implement proper access controls and input validation to prevent direct access to internal application files, ensuring that dependency scripts can only be executed within the proper application context. The recommended mitigation involves updating MediaWiki to version 1.9.2 or later, where proper access controls and error handling have been implemented to prevent direct file access and path disclosure.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper application security design and the need for comprehensive input validation across all application components. The issue highlights how seemingly minor oversights in access control can create significant security risks, particularly in web applications where path information can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running MediaWiki should prioritize this update and implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls and proper file permissions to prevent unauthorized access to application internals.