CVE-2023-45360 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in MediaWiki before 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.x before 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1. There is XSS in youhavenewmessagesmanyusers and youhavenewmessages i18n messages. This is related to MediaWiki:Youhavenewmessagesfromusers.

Understanding CVE-2023-45360

This CVE identifies a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in specific i18n messages within MediaWiki versions before 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1.

What is CVE-2023-45360?

CVE-2023-45360 points to a security flaw within MediaWiki instances that allows for XSS attacks through certain i18n messages, specifically relating to 'youhavenewmessagesmanyusers' and 'youhavenewmessages' components.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45360

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of an unsuspecting user's web session, potentially leading to account compromise, data theft, or unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45360

The following technical details shed light on the specific aspects of this CVE:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the handling of i18n messages within MediaWiki, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts on affected pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

MediaWiki versions prior to 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1 are vulnerable to this XSS issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specific requests or messages that trigger the execution of malicious scripts, thereby compromising user sessions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-45360, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MediaWiki to the latest patched version to mitigate the XSS risk.
Implement content security policies (CSP) to minimize the impact of potential script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for MediaWiki to stay informed about new vulnerabilities.
Train users to avoid clicking on suspicious links or messages that could contain malicious scripts.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure your MediaWiki instance is protected against known vulnerabilities and exploits.