CVE-2020-35477 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

MediaWiki before 1.35.1 has a vulnerability that affects the ability to hide log entries, leading to unexpected redirections.

Understanding CVE-2020-35477

MediaWiki before version 1.35.1 is susceptible to a flaw that impacts the handling of log entry visibility settings.

What is CVE-2020-35477?

This CVE describes a situation where MediaWiki fails to properly hide log entries under specific conditions, resulting in unintended redirections.

The Impact of CVE-2020-35477

The vulnerability in MediaWiki before 1.35.1 can lead to a security issue where log entries may not be hidden as intended, potentially exposing sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-35477

MediaWiki's vulnerability in version 1.35.1 involves the mishandling of log entry visibility settings.

Vulnerability Description

Legitimate attempts to hide log entries in MediaWiki before 1.35.1 can fail, causing redirection to unintended pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MediaWiki
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by setting MediaWiki:Mainpage to Special:MyLanguage/Main Page and manipulating log entry visibility settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2020-35477 vulnerability in MediaWiki.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MediaWiki to version 1.35.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor log entry visibility settings for any unexpected behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update MediaWiki and other software to the latest versions.
Educate users on proper log entry handling and visibility settings.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by MediaWiki to address the vulnerability effectively.