CVE-2015-8625 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
MediaWiki before 1.23.12, 1.24.x before 1.24.5, 1.25.x before 1.25.4, and 1.26.x before 1.26.1 do not properly sanitize parameters when calling the cURL library, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an @ (at sign) character in unspecified POST array parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8625 represents a critical file inclusion flaw in MediaWiki versions prior to the specified patches. This issue affects multiple release branches including 1.23.x, 1.24.x, 1.25.x, and 1.26.x, demonstrating the widespread nature of the problem within the MediaWiki ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization when the application interacts with the cURL library, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as file system commands rather than simple data parameters.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of POST array parameters that contain the character, which serves as a special directive in cURL for reading file contents. When MediaWiki processes these parameters without proper validation, the cURL library interprets the symbol as an instruction to read from a local file path rather than treating it as a literal character in the parameter value. This creates an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows remote attackers to access any file on the server's file system that the web application has permission to read, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, and sensitive application data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate their attacks through information disclosure and potentially system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive files such as the MediaWiki configuration file which often contains database connection details, or even system files like /etc/passwd to enumerate users. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or local network privileges, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8625 primarily involve immediate patching of affected MediaWiki installations to the recommended versions that contain the appropriate parameter sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious @ character patterns in POST data, and network segmentation to limit access to MediaWiki installations. Regular security audits of application code should include reviews of external library calls and parameter handling to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls when interacting with system-level libraries such as cURL that have built-in file system capabilities.