CVE-2013-1817 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.19.4 and 1.20.x before 1.20.3 contains an error in the api.php script which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1817 resides within MediaWiki's api.php script and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that affected versions prior to 1.19.4 and 1.20.3. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application's API interface, creating a pathway for remote attackers to extract sensitive data from the system. The vulnerability operates by exploiting improper sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are processed through the MediaWiki API endpoint, which serves as a critical communication interface for both legitimate users and automated systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of API parameters to trigger error messages that inadvertently reveal system information including database credentials, file paths, and internal system configurations. Attackers can craft malicious API requests that cause the system to generate detailed error responses containing sensitive data elements. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" and represents a fundamental security weakness in how the application processes external data inputs. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in error message generation where system internals are exposed to unauthorized parties through routine API operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1817 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. When attackers obtain database connection strings, file system locations, and system configurations, they gain valuable intelligence that can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects organizations running MediaWiki installations that have not yet applied the relevant security patches, potentially exposing their entire wiki infrastructure to compromise. This type of information disclosure attack aligns with tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for "File and Directory Discovery" and T1069.002 for "Credentials in Files" as attackers can systematically gather system information through API interactions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the official MediaWiki security patches released for versions 1.19.4 and 1.20.3, which address the input validation issues in api.php. Network-level protections such as API rate limiting and input filtering can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous API request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in web applications, emphasizing that seemingly benign API endpoints can become attack vectors when not properly secured. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their MediaWiki installations to identify any other potential vulnerabilities that might exist within the application's broader codebase.