CVE-2014-2665 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
includes/specials/SpecialChangePassword.php in MediaWiki before 1.19.14, 1.20.x and 1.21.x before 1.21.8, and 1.22.x before 1.22.5 does not properly handle a correctly authenticated but unintended login attempt, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by arranging for a victim to login to the attacker's account, as demonstrated by tracking the victim's activity, related to a "login CSRF" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2665 represents a critical security flaw in MediaWiki software versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue resides within the SpecialChangePassword.php component of the MediaWiki framework, which handles password change functionality for users. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authenticated login attempts that occur outside of the expected user workflow, creating a significant vector for information disclosure attacks. The flaw specifically affects MediaWiki installations in versions 1.19.14 and earlier, 1.20.x series before 1.21.8, and 1.22.x series before 1.22.5, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on older MediaWiki deployments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a login cross-site request forgery (CSRF) mechanism that allows attackers to manipulate the authentication flow. When a legitimate user attempts to authenticate to a MediaWiki system, the application fails to properly validate whether the login attempt originates from an authorized context. This oversight enables attackers to craft malicious requests that can trick authenticated users into performing actions on behalf of the attacker's account. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker can manipulate the login process such that a victim's session becomes associated with the attacker's account, thereby granting unauthorized access to sensitive information and user activities. The flaw operates at the application logic level rather than network protocols, making it particularly insidious as it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms against the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2665 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential account takeover scenarios and unauthorized data access. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to track victim activities, access private content, modify user preferences, and potentially escalate privileges within the MediaWiki environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat where attackers can maintain access to victim accounts even after the initial attack vector has been closed. This issue directly relates to CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Account Access Removal" and T1078 for "Valid Accounts" as it exploits legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. Organizations using MediaWiki systems may experience unauthorized data access, privacy violations, and potential compliance issues when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2665 primarily involve immediate patching of affected MediaWiki installations to the recommended versions that contain the security fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all MediaWiki instances to versions 1.19.14, 1.21.8, or 1.22.5 respectively, depending on their current deployment. Additionally, implementing proper session management controls, enforcing strict CSRF token validation, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to sensitive MediaWiki functionality and ensure that all user sessions are properly validated and authenticated before granting access to sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication flow validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication mechanisms in web applications.