CVE-2014-9487 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
The getid3 library in MediaWiki before 1.24.1, 1.23.8, 1.22.15 and 1.19.23 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, cause a denial of service, or possibly have other impact via an XML External Entity (XXE) attack. NOTE: Related to CVE-2014-2053.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9487 represents a critical security flaw within the getid3 library component of MediaWiki versions prior to 1.24.1, 1.23.8, 1.22.15, and 1.19.23. This issue stems from improper handling of XML External Entity processing within the media file analysis functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through XML External Entity attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the library's ability to process multimedia file metadata, particularly when dealing with XML-based file formats that contain external entity references. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the parsing process and potentially access sensitive system resources through crafted file inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when MediaWiki processes multimedia files that contain XML metadata, particularly within audio and video file formats that utilize XML structures for metadata storage. The getid3 library fails to properly sanitize XML input, allowing external entity references to be resolved during parsing operations. This creates multiple attack vectors where malicious actors can craft specially formatted media files that trigger the XML parser to access local system files, initiate network connections, or consume excessive system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where users can upload files.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9487 extends beyond simple information disclosure, encompassing potential denial of service conditions and arbitrary file access capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive files from the server filesystem, potentially accessing configuration files, user databases, or other confidential information stored on the system. The vulnerability also enables denial of service attacks by causing the application to consume excessive memory or processing resources through malformed XML structures. This can lead to complete service disruption and system instability, particularly when combined with other attack vectors. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where users can upload media files, as it allows for direct exploitation without requiring additional system access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched MediaWiki versions, implementing strict XML parsing validation, and configuring proper input sanitization for all multimedia file uploads. The fix typically involves updating the getid3 library to a version that properly handles XML external entity declarations and disables external entity resolution during file processing. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policies, restricting file upload capabilities to trusted users, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation). Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs of file processing activities to detect potential compromise.