CVE-2023-45371 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2023-45371 affecting Wikibase extension in MediaWiki versions before 1.35.12, allowing unauthorized data merging. Find mitigation steps here.
An issue was discovered in the Wikibase extension for MediaWiki before version 1.35.12, affecting versions 1.36.x through 1.39.x before 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1, where there is no rate limit for merging items.
Understanding CVE-2023-45371
This section will provide an overview of the vulnerability found in the Wikibase extension for MediaWiki.
What is CVE-2023-45371?
CVE-2023-45371 highlights a security flaw in Wikibase extension versions prior to 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.x before 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to merge items without a rate limit, potentially leading to unauthorized manipulation of data.
The Impact of CVE-2023-45371
The absence of a rate limit for merging items in Wikibase extension versions exposes systems to the risk of unauthorized data manipulation, potentially resulting in data integrity breaches and unauthorized access.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-45371
This section will delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Wikibase extension allows threat actors to merge items without any rate limit, enabling them to carry out unauthorized data modifications.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: n/a
- Product: n/a
- Affected Versions: All versions before 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.x before 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1
Exploitation Mechanism
Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the absence of rate limits in the item merging process within Wikibase extension, enabling them to manipulate data without restrictions.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section will outline steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-45371.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Users are advised to update their Wikibase extension to the latest patched versions to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement temporary rate limits or monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual activities related to item merging.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and update software extensions to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
- Conduct security reviews and audits to identify and remediate potential risks within the system.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of patches and updates released by MediaWiki to fix the rate limit issue in Wikibase extension.