CVE-2010-0717 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of cfg.packagepages_actions_excluded in MoinMoin before 1.8.7 does not prevent unsafe package actions, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0717 affects MoinMoin wiki software versions prior to 1.8.7, specifically concerning the default configuration of the cfg.packagepages_actions_excluded parameter. This flaw represents a critical security oversight in the software's permission and access control mechanisms, where the default settings fail to adequately restrict potentially dangerous package actions that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability resides in the application's default security configuration rather than being a fundamental code flaw, making it particularly insidious as administrators might not immediately recognize the risk due to the software's default behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper exclusion of package actions within the MoinMoin configuration system. When the cfg.packagepages_actions_excluded parameter is not properly configured, it leaves certain package management operations accessible to unauthorized users who might otherwise be restricted from performing such actions. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface that could allow privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, or other malicious activities depending on how the package actions are implemented within the application's architecture. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because package actions often involve operations that can modify the application's core functionality or access sensitive system resources.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on MoinMoin wiki systems for collaboration and information sharing. Attackers who can exploit this weakness may gain unauthorized access to package management features that could enable them to install malicious plugins, modify existing packages, or execute arbitrary code within the wiki environment. The unspecified attack vectors and impact make this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could potentially be leveraged in various ways depending on the specific implementation details of the affected MoinMoin installation and its surrounding infrastructure. The default configuration nature of the flaw means that any installation running affected versions is inherently vulnerable unless explicitly configured to address this weakness.
The security implications of CVE-2010-0717 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through compromised applications. Organizations should immediately update to MoinMoin version 1.8.7 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly configure the package actions exclusion mechanism. Additionally, system administrators should review their current configurations to ensure that the cfg.packagepages_actions_excluded parameter is properly set to prevent unauthorized package management operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper default security configurations and highlights the need for regular security assessments of application settings, particularly those related to package management and user permissions.