CVE-2013-4574 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the TimeMediaHandler extension for MediaWiki before 1.19.10, 1.2x before 1.21.4, and 1.22.x before 1.22.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to videos.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2022
The CVE-2013-4574 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TimeMediaHandler extension for MediaWiki platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.19.10, 1.21.4, and 1.22.1 across multiple MediaWiki release branches, creating a widespread security risk for organizations relying on wiki-based content management systems. The flaw manifests when processing video-related content, making it particularly dangerous for media-rich wikis that host user-generated video content or embedded multimedia elements. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the extension's handling of video parameters and metadata, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts during video processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted video input parameters that bypass the system's sanitization checks. Attackers can manipulate video-related data fields such as titles, descriptions, or embedded URLs to inject malicious javascript code or html payloads. When other users view the affected video content, the injected scripts execute within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how extension modules can introduce security weaknesses even when the core platform appears secure. The TimeMediaHandler extension's failure to properly encode output data when displaying video-related information creates an exploitable vector that violates fundamental web security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could compromise entire wiki ecosystems. Remote attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code within user browsers, making it particularly dangerous for collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared content. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple MediaWiki versions indicates a fundamental design flaw in the extension's security architecture that required patching across several release lines. Organizations using vulnerable MediaWiki installations face risks of data exfiltration, user account compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure if wiki systems are integrated with other corporate applications. This vulnerability also demonstrates how third-party extensions can serve as attack vectors that bypass traditional security controls, emphasizing the importance of extension vetting and security audits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4574 require immediate patching of affected MediaWiki installations to versions containing the security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious video parameter inputs, enhanced input validation at multiple layers, and regular security scanning of wiki content for malicious scripts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all installed MediaWiki extensions to identify similar vulnerabilities and establish strict content review processes for user-generated multimedia content. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers phishing techniques, as attackers can use the XSS flaw to redirect users to malicious sites or steal session cookies. Regular security training for wiki administrators and users can help identify suspicious content patterns, while implementing content security policies that restrict script execution in wiki environments provides additional defense layers against exploitation attempts.