CVE-2017-20175 in matomo-mediawiki-extension
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in DaSchTour matomo-mediawiki-extension up to 2.4.2. This affects an unknown part of the file Piwik.hooks.php of the component Username Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 2.4.3 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 681324e4f518a8af4bd1f93867074c728eb9923d. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-220203.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2023
This vulnerability represents a cross site scripting flaw in the DaSchTour matomo-mediawiki-extension version 2.4.2 and earlier, specifically within the Piwik.hooks.php file under the Username Handler component. The issue stems from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered in web pages. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic due to its remote exploitability and the fact that a public exploit has been disclosed, making it accessible to threat actors without specialized knowledge. The flaw exists in the username handling functionality where malicious input can be injected into the web application's response, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of victim browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-provided data is processed through the Username Handler component without proper sanitization before being output to web pages. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system or local network presence. The exploitability is heightened by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core hook mechanism of the MediaWiki extension, which is likely invoked during user authentication or profile display operations. The disclosed patch identified by commit hash 681324e4f518a8af4bd1f93867074c728eb9923d addresses the issue by implementing proper input validation and output encoding measures. This typically involves escaping special characters in user input before rendering it in HTML contexts, or implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate potential script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's presence in a MediaWiki extension means that it could affect organizations relying on wiki platforms for documentation, collaboration, or knowledge management systems. Given that MediaWiki installations are often used in enterprise environments, the potential for data exfiltration or privilege escalation exists if attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive information. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed increases the risk profile significantly, as it removes the element of surprise that attackers typically rely on for successful exploitation. Organizations using affected versions should immediately assess their deployment environments and implement the recommended upgrade to version 2.4.3 to mitigate the identified risk.
The remediation approach centers on upgrading to version 2.4.3 which contains the necessary code changes to address the XSS vulnerability in the Username Handler component. The patch implementation likely involves modifications to the Piwik.hooks.php file to ensure that all user-provided input is properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into web page output. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews of any custom modifications to the MediaWiki extension to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application can provide defense in depth against similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as an additional mitigation measure to prevent unauthorized script execution even if similar vulnerabilities are discovered in the future. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive input validation in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content.