CVE-2010-1190 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
thumb.php in MediaWiki before 1.15.2, when used with access-restriction mechanisms such as img_auth.php, does not check user permissions before providing scaled images, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and read private images via unspecified manipulations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1190 represents a critical access control flaw in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.15.2, specifically within the thumb.php component that handles image scaling operations. This issue manifests when MediaWiki is configured with access restriction mechanisms such as img_auth.php, which are designed to protect private content from unauthorized access. The flaw occurs because thumb.php fails to validate user permissions before processing and delivering scaled image versions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization checks within the image processing pipeline. When users request scaled versions of images through thumb.php, the system should verify that the requesting user possesses appropriate permissions to access the original image file before generating and serving the scaled variant. However, the vulnerable code path bypasses this crucial permission verification step, allowing unauthorized users to obtain private images through carefully crafted requests that manipulate the image scaling parameters. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checking that falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to systematically bypass access controls for private media content. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specific requests that target protected images, potentially gaining access to sensitive documents, confidential photographs, or proprietary media assets that should only be accessible to authorized users. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where MediaWiki serves as a content management system for organizations with strict data access policies.
Organizations utilizing MediaWiki versions prior to 1.15.2 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patch updates from the MediaWiki project, as this vulnerability directly conflicts with fundamental security principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access domains. The mitigation strategy should also include comprehensive review of existing access control configurations and implementation of additional monitoring for suspicious image access patterns. Security administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions and enhanced logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough security testing for content management systems, particularly regarding the interaction between different components and their respective permission models. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation oversights in core functionality can create significant security implications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security reviews during software development and deployment phases.