CVE-2009-4589 in MediaWik
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Special:Block implementation in the getContribsLink function in SpecialBlockip.php in MediaWiki 1.14.0 and 1.15.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the ip parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2019
The CVE-2009-4589 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within MediaWiki's Special:Block functionality, specifically affecting versions 1.14.0 and 1.15.0. This vulnerability resides in the SpecialBlockip.php file within the getContribsLink function, where user-supplied input from the ip parameter is inadequately sanitized before being rendered in web output. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts or inject HTML content directly into the web interface, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the MediaWiki codebase. When administrators or users access the Special:Block page to manage user blocks, the ip parameter containing potentially malicious input is processed through the getContribsLink function without proper sanitization. This function constructs links to user contribution pages, but fails to properly encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript by web browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be exploited to perform session hijacking, deface web interfaces, or redirect users to malicious sites. Attackers can craft malicious ip parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable getContribsLink function, execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a significant risk for MediaWiki administrators who may unknowingly click on malicious links within the block interface, potentially leading to complete compromise of their administrative sessions. The vulnerability also affects the broader MediaWiki ecosystem since it resides in core functionality that is frequently accessed by administrators managing user access and content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4589 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MediaWiki installations to versions 1.14.1 or 1.15.1, which contain the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly when constructing dynamic links or HTML elements. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and with defensive measures outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security audits of web application input handling, and monitoring for suspicious activity in administrative interfaces. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though the primary solution remains updating to patched versions of the MediaWiki software.