CVE-2012-1581 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki 1.17.x before 1.17.3 and 1.18.x before 1.18.2 uses weak random numbers for password reset tokens, which makes it easier for remote attackers to change the passwords of arbitrary users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1581 affects MediaWiki versions 1.17.x prior to 1.17.3 and 1.18.x prior to 1.18.2, representing a critical weakness in the password reset functionality that undermines user account security. This issue stems from the use of insufficiently random number generation mechanisms when creating password reset tokens, creating predictable sequences that adversaries can exploit to compromise user accounts without legitimate authorization.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic randomness implementation within MediaWiki's password reset mechanism. When users request password resets, the system generates token values that should be unpredictable and cryptographically secure to prevent unauthorized access attempts. However, the affected versions employ weak random number generators that produce tokens with insufficient entropy, making them vulnerable to prediction attacks. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security-sensitive contexts. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform brute force or prediction attacks against password reset tokens, allowing them to reset passwords for arbitrary user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user accounts and potentially sensitive information stored within MediaWiki instances. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, access private communications, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where MediaWiki serves as a collaboration platform for organizations, educational institutions, or government agencies, as compromised accounts can lead to data breaches, content manipulation, and unauthorized access to confidential information. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers credential access through brute force attacks against password reset functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1581 require immediate deployment of patched MediaWiki versions, specifically upgrading to 1.17.3 or 1.18.2, which contain the necessary cryptographic improvements. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including monitoring for unusual password reset patterns, implementing rate limiting for reset requests, and enforcing strong password policies. System administrators should consider enabling two-factor authentication where possible and conduct thorough security assessments of their MediaWiki installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include reviewing existing password reset token generation mechanisms and ensuring that all cryptographic operations meet current security standards, particularly those addressing weak randomness as defined in CWE-330 and related security frameworks.