CVE-2010-1150 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.15.3, and 1.6.x before 1.16.0beta2, does not properly handle a correctly authenticated but unintended login attempt, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to conduct phishing attacks by arranging for a victim to login to the attacker s account and then execute a crafted user script, related to a "login CSRF" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
This vulnerability exists in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.15.3 and 1.6.x versions prior to 1.16.0beta2, where the authentication system fails to properly validate login attempts that are correctly authenticated but occur outside the intended context. The flaw stems from inadequate session management and cross-site request forgery protections during the authentication flow, creating a scenario where legitimate users can be tricked into performing actions that appear to be their own but are actually orchestrated by malicious actors. This represents a classic login CSRF vulnerability where the system does not sufficiently verify that the login request originates from the intended source or that the user has explicitly authorized the specific authentication action. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential access through phishing attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious scripts or web pages that can manipulate the login process of authenticated users. When a victim visits an attacker-controlled page, the malicious code can automatically submit login requests to the MediaWiki instance, potentially redirecting the user to the attacker's account without their explicit consent. This occurs because the system does not properly validate the referer header or implement additional checks to ensure that login requests are legitimate and authorized by the user. The flaw essentially bypasses normal authentication flow controls that should verify the user's intent and the legitimacy of the authentication request.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using MediaWiki, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can compromise user accounts and potentially lead to broader system access. Attackers can create convincing fake login pages or manipulate existing pages to redirect users to their controlled accounts, where they can then execute malicious scripts or access sensitive information. The vulnerability particularly affects wiki environments where multiple users collaborate on shared content, as compromised accounts can be used to modify or delete content, inject malicious code, or gain unauthorized access to restricted areas. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to MediaWiki version 1.15.3 or later for the 1.15.x branch, and version 1.16.0beta2 or later for the 1.6.x branch, which contain the necessary patches to properly handle login authentication flows. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as enforcing strict referer header validation, implementing proper session management controls, and deploying content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Security teams should monitor for suspicious login patterns and implement user education programs to help identify potential phishing attempts that may exploit this vulnerability. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-352 issue by ensuring proper validation of authentication requests and implementing robust CSRF protections that verify user intent and authorization for each login action.