CVE-2012-1580 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Special:Upload in MediaWiki 1.17.x before 1.17.3 and 1.18.x before 1.18.2 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of unspecified victims for requests that upload files.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The CVE-2012-1580 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the MediaWiki content management system that specifically targets the Special:Upload functionality. This vulnerability exists in versions 1.17.x prior to 1.17.3 and 1.18.x prior to 1.18.2, creating a significant security risk for wiki administrators and users who rely on the file upload capabilities of these systems. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate authenticated sessions and execute unauthorized file uploads against unsuspecting users who are logged into the wiki environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the upload process. When users navigate to the Special:Upload page and submit file uploads, the system fails to validate that the request originates from the legitimate user interface rather than from malicious third-party websites. This lack of request validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can craft malicious web pages that automatically submit file upload requests to the target MediaWiki installation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication state of users who are already logged into the wiki system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it provides attackers with a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could leverage this flaw to upload malicious files such as web shells, phishing pages, or other harmful content that could compromise the entire wiki infrastructure. Additionally, the unauthorized uploads could be used to deface the wiki, inject malicious code into the system, or create persistent backdoors for future exploitation. The unspecified nature of the victim authentication targets suggests that this vulnerability affects any user session within the MediaWiki system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on wiki platforms for collaborative work and information sharing.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploits for execution through the manipulation of web application functionality. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including the mandatory upgrade to patched versions of MediaWiki, the implementation of additional authentication controls, and the deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious upload requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust session management controls to prevent unauthorized access to web application functionality.