CVE-2019-12471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Wikimedia MediaWiki versions 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 allows attackers to execute malicious scripts on users. The issue has been resolved in subsequent versions.

Understanding CVE-2019-12471

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Wikimedia MediaWiki versions 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 that could be exploited by attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2019-12471?

The CVE-2019-12471 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Wikimedia MediaWiki versions 1.30.0 through 1.32.1. Attackers can create a non-existent account to load user JavaScript and execute XSS on users loading that script.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12471

This vulnerability allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts on unsuspecting users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12471

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Wikimedia MediaWiki versions 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 enables attackers to load user JavaScript from a non-existent account, creating a vector for executing malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: 1.30.0 through 1.32.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by creating a non-existent account to load user JavaScript, allowing them to execute XSS attacks on users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-12471 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MediaWiki to versions 1.32.2, 1.31.2, 1.30.2, or 1.27.6 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of executing scripts from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution.
Regularly monitor and audit user-generated content for malicious scripts.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.