CVE-2023-37255 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in the CheckUser extension for MediaWiki through 1.39.3 where a vulnerability in Special:CheckUser could lead to HTML injection through the User-Agent HTTP request header.

Understanding CVE-2023-37255

This CVE involves a security issue found in the CheckUser extension of MediaWiki, potentially allowing HTML injection through a specific HTTP request.

What is CVE-2023-37255?

CVE-2023-37255 highlights a vulnerability in the CheckUser extension of MediaWiki version 1.39.3, which can be exploited to conduct HTML injection attacks via the User-Agent HTTP request header.

The Impact of CVE-2023-37255

The impact of this CVE can lead to potential HTML injection attacks, allowing threat actors to execute malicious scripts or steal sensitive information through CheckUser's functionality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-37255

This section covers a detailed analysis of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Special:CheckUser allows malicious actors to inject HTML code through the User-Agent HTTP request header, potentially compromising the integrity of the web application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue impacts MediaWiki installations using the CheckUser extension up to version 1.39.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the HTML injection vulnerability via the User-Agent HTTP header in Special:CheckUser, attackers can execute malicious scripts or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn about the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to enhance the security posture of MediaWiki installations.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MediaWiki to the latest version to patch the vulnerability in the CheckUser extension.
Monitor for any unusual activities or unauthorized access attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review extensions and configurations for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and best practices to prevent injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by MediaWiki and promptly apply them to mitigate the risk of exploitation.