CVE-2020-29002 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CologneBlue skin for MediaWiki through 1.35 allows XSS via a qbfind message.

Understanding CVE-2020-29002

This CVE involves a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CologneBlue skin for MediaWiki.

What is CVE-2020-29002?

The vulnerability in includes/CologneBlueTemplate.php allows XSS attacks through a qbfind message provided by an administrator.

The Impact of CVE-2020-29002

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-29002

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in includes/CologneBlueTemplate.php in the CologneBlue skin for MediaWiki through version 1.35.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MediaWiki
Vendor: Wikimedia
Versions affected: All versions through 1.35

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by injecting a malicious qbfind message via the CologneBlue skin, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-29002, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by MediaWiki.
Disable the affected skin or implement Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate XSS risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update MediaWiki and its extensions to the latest versions.
Educate administrators on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Monitor and filter user-generated content to prevent malicious input.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities.