CVE-2008-0460 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in api.php in (1) MediaWiki 1.11 through 1.11.0rc1, 1.10 through 1.10.2, 1.9 through 1.9.4, and 1.8; and (2) the BotQuery extension for MediaWiki 1.7 and earlier; when Internet Explorer is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
The CVE-2008-0460 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of the MediaWiki platform and its BotQuery extension. This vulnerability specifically targets the api.php script and exploits a weakness that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by users. The vulnerability is particularly significant because it affects widely used versions of MediaWiki including 1.11 through 1.11.0rc1, 1.10 through 1.10.2, 1.9 through 1.9.4, 1.8, and the BotQuery extension for MediaWiki 1.7 and earlier versions. The attack vector leverages the behavior of Internet Explorer browsers, making it particularly dangerous in environments where IE is the primary browser. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The technical flaw manifests when the api.php script fails to properly sanitize or validate user input parameters, creating an opening for malicious code injection that can execute in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser, potentially compromising user accounts and accessing sensitive information. The fact that this vulnerability specifically targets Internet Explorer makes it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on legacy browser support, as IE was historically more susceptible to various web-based attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, modify page content, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks through the browser's capabilities. The BotQuery extension vulnerability further compounds the risk as it affects older MediaWiki installations that may not have received the latest security updates, leaving organizations with outdated systems exposed to potential exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of MediaWiki and the BotQuery extension, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The remediation process should involve comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all MediaWiki installations are updated to versions that address this specific XSS vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their MediaWiki installations to identify any potential exposure to this vulnerability and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement proper security awareness training for administrators to ensure they understand the importance of keeping MediaWiki installations up to date and the potential consequences of running vulnerable versions of the software.