CVE-2022-24813 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in CreateWiki, Miraheze's MediaWiki extension, could allow for an authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel. This could enable anonymous comments via Special:RequestWikiQueue. It is crucial to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps related to CVE-2022-24813.

Understanding CVE-2022-24813

What is CVE-2022-24813?

CreateWiki, a MediaWiki extension by Miraheze, is susceptible to an authentication bypass issue. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to submit anonymous comments through Special:RequestWikiQueue using POST requests.

The Impact of CVE-2022-24813

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 5.3. It does not require any privileges and has a low attack complexity. This could lead to unauthorized comments being posted, impacting the integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-24813

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from improper authentication in CreateWiki, allowing unauthorized access to the Special:RequestWikiQueue feature, facilitating the submission of comments without proper authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of CreateWiki prior to commit hash '< d0ae79843d689832ccac765d6b1721e668d99ab9'. Users with unpatched installations are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending specifically crafted POST requests directly to Special:RequestWikiQueue, an attacker can bypass authentication measures, leading to the submission of unauthorized comments.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of CreateWiki should apply the patch available in the

master

branch of the GitHub repository to address the authentication bypass issue. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper authentication mechanisms and access controls within CreateWiki to prevent unauthorized access to critical features like Special:RequestWikiQueue. Regular security audits and monitoring can help in identifying and addressing such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to CreateWiki from Miraheze to promptly apply patches and updates. Regularly monitor the GitHub repository for the latest security fixes and enhancements.