CVE-2025-53488 in WikiHiero Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Wikimedia Foundation Mediawiki - WikiHiero Extension allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Mediawiki - WikiHiero Extension: from 1.43.X before 1.43.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The CVE-2025-53488 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Wikimedia Foundation MediaWiki WikiHiero extension, specifically impacting versions ranging from 1.43.0 through 1.43.1. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-site Scripting and demonstrates a failure in proper input sanitization during web page generation processes. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect the entire MediaWiki ecosystem where the WikiHiero extension is deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the WikiHiero extension fails to adequately neutralize user-supplied input during the generation of web content. When users interact with the extension's functionality, particularly when entering or modifying content that gets rendered in web pages, malicious scripts can be stored within the extension's data handling mechanisms. These scripts then execute automatically whenever other users view the affected pages, creating a stored XSS scenario that persists beyond individual user sessions. The flaw specifically manifests in the extension's handling of parameters or content that should be properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into dynamically generated HTML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious payload remains active until manually removed, potentially affecting all users who access pages containing the compromised content. This threat is particularly concerning in the MediaWiki environment where users may have varying levels of privileges and where the extension's functionality could be leveraged to compromise entire wiki installations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content and T1059.001 for command and control through script execution.
Organizations utilizing MediaWiki with the WikiHiero extension must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability. The most effective mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MediaWiki version 1.43.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly neutralize input during web page generation. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, and establish regular input validation procedures to prevent similar issues in other extension components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 - Injection and A05:2021 - Security Misconfiguration. Regular security audits of extension components and maintaining up-to-date software versions remain essential defensive measures against such persistent threats in wiki-based collaborative environments.