CVE-2017-8810 : What You Need to Know

MediaWiki before versions 1.27.4, 1.28.x before 1.28.3, and 1.29.x before 1.29.2 are affected by a vulnerability that can potentially enable remote attackers to obtain a list of valid account names and carry out brute-force attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-8810

This CVE involves an information leak in MediaWiki versions before 1.27.4, 1.28.x before 1.28.3, and 1.29.x before 1.29.2.

What is CVE-2017-8810?

When a private wiki is set up, MediaWiki provides different error messages for failed login attempts based on whether the username exists. This discrepancy allows attackers to enumerate account names and launch brute-force attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8810

The vulnerability can lead to a potential information leak, enabling attackers to gather valid account names and conduct brute-force attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8810

MediaWiki versions before 1.27.4, 1.28.x before 1.28.3, and 1.29.x before 1.29.2 are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

MediaWiki provides different error messages for failed login attempts based on username existence
Attackers can exploit this to obtain a list of valid account names
Allows for brute-force attacks through a series of requests

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: MediaWiki before 1.27.4, 1.28.x before 1.28.3, and 1.29.x before 1.29.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can send multiple requests with different usernames to identify valid accounts

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MediaWiki to versions 1.27.4, 1.28.3, or 1.29.2 to mitigate the issue
Monitor login attempts for suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by MediaWiki to fix the vulnerability