CVE-2018-0504 in MediaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Mediawiki 1.31 before 1.31.1, 1.30.1, 1.29.3 and 1.27.5 contains an information disclosure flaw in the Special:Redirect/logid
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0504 affects MediaWiki versions prior to 1.31.1, 1.30.1, 1.29.3, and 1.27.5, specifically within the Special:Redirect/logid functionality. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that could potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized users. The vulnerability resides in the way MediaWiki handles redirect log information, creating an avenue for attackers to access potentially confidential details through crafted requests to the redirect log functionality. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they often serve as initial entry points for more sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to gather intelligence about the system's internal workings and potentially identify other exploitable weaknesses.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of logid parameters within the Special:Redirect page functionality. When users access certain redirect logs through the Special:Redirect interface, the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters, leading to potential information leakage. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and parameter validation mechanisms that should normally restrict access to log information based on user permissions and system security policies. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, Information Discovery, as it enables adversaries to gather system information through legitimate administrative interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can facilitate more advanced attack vectors including privilege escalation and further system reconnaissance. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access historical redirect logs that may contain sensitive information about user activities, system configurations, or even credentials if they are improperly logged. This information could then be leveraged to craft more targeted attacks against the MediaWiki installation or its underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using MediaWiki for content management, wikis, documentation systems, and collaborative platforms where access control is paramount. Organizations relying on these systems for sensitive operations or those handling confidential data are particularly at risk, as the exposure could lead to unauthorized access to internal processes, user data, or system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0504 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of MediaWiki that address this information disclosure flaw. System administrators should immediately implement the official security patches released by the MediaWiki development team, ensuring that all affected versions are updated to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access control measures at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection. Organizations should also review their existing security policies and access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access administrative interfaces and sensitive log information. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security monitoring practices to protect against information disclosure threats that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.