CVE-2011-1578 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MediaWiki before 1.16.3, when Internet Explorer 6 or earlier is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an uploaded file accessed with a dangerous extension such as .html at the end of the query string, in conjunction with a modified URI path that has a %2E sequence in place of the . (dot) character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The CVE-2011-1578 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.16.3 that specifically targets users operating Internet Explorer 6 or earlier browsers. This vulnerability exploits a combination of file extension handling and URI path manipulation techniques to bypass security restrictions and execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The attack vector leverages the specific behavior of older Internet Explorer versions when processing certain URI sequences, creating a pathway for remote code execution through crafted file uploads that appear legitimate to the MediaWiki system.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves attackers crafting malicious files with extensions such as .html that are appended to query strings, combined with URI paths containing %2E sequences that represent dots in URL encoding. When Internet Explorer 6 or earlier processes these malformed requests, it interprets the encoded sequences differently than modern browsers, allowing the system to treat the malicious file as a legitimate HTML document rather than a restricted file type. This parsing discrepancy enables attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' sessions when they access the compromised media files through the vulnerable MediaWiki installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative actions within the MediaWiki environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to wiki systems, potentially compromising entire collaborative platforms that rely on MediaWiki for content management. The restriction to older Internet Explorer versions limits the attack surface but still represents a significant risk for organizations maintaining legacy browser support, as these systems often serve as entry points for broader network compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1578 focus primarily on immediate system updates to MediaWiki version 1.16.3 or later, which contain patches addressing the specific URI path handling and file extension validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent dangerous file extensions from being processed, while also enforcing strict content type checking for uploaded files. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and URI filtering can provide additional layers of defense against similar attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and follows patterns commonly associated with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) within the adversary tactics and techniques framework.