CVE-2011-0003 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.16.1, when user or site JavaScript or CSS is enabled, allows remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0003 affects MediaWiki versions prior to 1.16.1 and represents a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute clickjacking attacks through user or site JavaScript and CSS functionality. This issue arises from the improper handling of web content that allows malicious actors to manipulate user interactions by overlaying invisible elements on legitimate web pages. The vulnerability specifically manifests when administrators enable user-defined JavaScript or CSS capabilities, creating an attack surface that can be exploited to deceive users into performing unintended actions.
Clickjacking attacks exploit the browser's ability to render multiple layers of content simultaneously, where attackers can position malicious content over legitimate user interface elements. In the context of MediaWiki, this vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous because the platform allows users to inject custom JavaScript and CSS code, which can be leveraged to create deceptive interfaces that trick users into clicking on unintended elements. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack could occur through various mechanisms including but not limited to frame injection, overlay techniques, or manipulation of page rendering logic that allows attackers to control user interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user inconvenience to potentially serious security consequences including unauthorized actions on behalf of users, data manipulation, or privilege escalation within the MediaWiki environment. When users are tricked into clicking on maliciously overlaid elements, they may inadvertently perform actions such as editing pages, changing settings, or accessing restricted functionality. The vulnerability becomes particularly concerning in environments where MediaWiki is used for collaborative content management or community platforms where user-generated content is common. Attackers can craft sophisticated attacks that appear legitimate to users while executing malicious commands behind the scenes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common clickjacking attack patterns and can be categorized under CWE-1021, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames. This classification indicates that the vulnerability stems from inadequate controls over how user interface elements are rendered and layered within the browser environment. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web-based vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through user interaction. Organizations using affected MediaWiki versions should consider implementing security headers such as X-Frame-Options and Content Security Policy directives to mitigate potential clickjacking risks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-generated content that can influence the rendering behavior of web pages.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to MediaWiki version 1.16.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the clickjacking vectors. Administrators should also implement comprehensive security headers including X-Frame-Options with the SAMEORIGIN or DENY values to prevent the application from being embedded in frames. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy directives can further restrict frame embedding and protect against various cross-site scripting and clickjacking attacks. The security configuration should also include disabling user JavaScript and CSS capabilities when possible, or implementing strict sanitization and validation of user-generated content to prevent malicious code injection. Regular security audits and monitoring of user-generated content are essential to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain the overall security posture of the MediaWiki installation.