CVE-2022-28203 : Security Advisory and Response

A denial-of-service vulnerability was discovered in MediaWiki versions before 1.35.6, 1.36.x before 1.36.4, and 1.37.x before 1.37.2, allowing a very long running query when Special:NewFiles is requested with certain conditions.

Understanding CVE-2022-28203

This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of the denial-of-service vulnerability found in MediaWiki.

What is CVE-2022-28203?

CVE-2022-28203 is a denial-of-service vulnerability present in MediaWiki versions prior to 1.35.6, 1.36.4, and 1.37.2. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a prolonged query execution when specific conditions are met.

The Impact of CVE-2022-28203

The vulnerability enables attackers to trigger a denial-of-service condition by making specific requests to the Special:NewFiles feature in affected MediaWiki versions, potentially causing performance degradation and service unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-28203

In this section, we delve deeper into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The denial-of-service flaw stems from how MediaWiki processes requests with particular actor conditions in Special:NewFiles, leading to extensive query execution times that can disrupt service availability.

Affected Systems and Versions

All MediaWiki versions preceding 1.35.6, 1.36.4, and 1.37.2 are susceptible to this vulnerability, potentially impacting servers running these versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2022-28203 involves employing actor conditions in Special:NewFiles requests to trigger a situation where numerous files exist, causing prolonged query execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2022-28203, involving immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

System administrators are advised to update their MediaWiki installations to versions 1.35.6, 1.36.4, or 1.37.2 to address the denial-of-service vulnerability effectively.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as access controls, routine security audits, and timely software updates, can enhance the overall security posture to prevent and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security advisories and promptly applying patches released by MediaWiki developers can help safeguard systems against known vulnerabilities, ensuring a secure operational environment.