CVE-2013-1818 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
maintenance/mwdoc-filter.php in MediaWiki before 1.20.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1818 affects MediaWiki versions prior to 1.20.3 and resides within the maintenance/mwdoc-filter.php component. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server hosting the MediaWiki instance. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the file filtering process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and retrieve sensitive data from the underlying system.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the mwdoc-filter.php script that processes documentation files, but the unspecified vectors suggest multiple attack pathways that could be exploited through various input parameters or request manipulation techniques. The attack surface extends beyond simple file reading to potentially expose configuration files, database credentials, user data, and other sensitive system components that might be accessible through the application's file handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract database configuration files containing administrative credentials, application source code revealing implementation details, or user authentication data that could be used for further attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or local network privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible MediaWiki installations. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as it enables adversaries to discover and access sensitive files that could be used for privilege escalation or additional attack vectors.
Organizations running vulnerable MediaWiki installations should immediately upgrade to version 1.20.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The patch addresses the underlying path traversal issue by implementing proper input validation and access control checks within the maintenance script. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to maintenance scripts, ensure proper file permissions are configured, and conduct regular security audits of their MediaWiki installations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper access controls in web applications, particularly in components that handle file operations and system maintenance tasks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.