CVE-2025-53093 in mediawiki-extensions-TabberNeue
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
TabberNeue is a MediaWiki extension that allows the wiki to create tabs. Starting in version 3.0.0 and prior to version 3.1.1, any user can insert arbitrary HTMLinto the DOM by inserting a payload into any allowed attribute of the `` tag. Version 3.1.1 contains a patch for the bug.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2025
The TabberNeue MediaWiki extension vulnerability CVE-2025-53093 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness that emerged in versions 3.0.0 through 3.1.0. This flaw resides in the extension's handling of user-provided attributes within the tab element tag, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML code into the document object model. The vulnerability specifically targets the extension's failure to properly sanitize or validate attribute inputs, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the extension's output rendering behavior. The issue demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding that has been documented in numerous web application security contexts, with the CWE-79 weakness category specifically addressing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when users with minimal privileges can insert malicious payloads into any attribute of the tab element tag. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary HTML code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the wiki environment. The flaw essentially bypasses the extension's intended security boundaries by treating user input as trusted content, which violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and context-aware output encoding. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of MediaWiki platforms and the tabber extension, making it a potentially high-impact issue for organizations relying on these systems.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple XSS attacks, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the wiki environment. Attackers could leverage the injected HTML to redirect users to malicious sites, steal authentication cookies, or manipulate the wiki's user interface to hide malicious content. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the wiki's content, as users could potentially alter the display behavior of tabs or inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view the affected pages. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as well as T1566 for credential access through social engineering via compromised web interfaces.
Organizations using affected versions of TabberNeue should immediately implement the patch available in version 3.1.1, which addresses the input validation issues by properly sanitizing all attributes before rendering them in the DOM. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive review of all user-generated content within the wiki environment, implementation of content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regular security audits of MediaWiki extensions. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious attribute inputs, while also monitoring for any unauthorized modifications to wiki pages that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date MediaWiki extensions and following security best practices for user input handling, particularly in collaborative environments where multiple users can contribute content.