CVE-2020-6163 : Security Advisory and Response

The WikibaseMediaInfo extension 1.35 for MediaWiki is vulnerable to XSS due to improper template syntax within the PropertySuggestionsWidget template.

Understanding CVE-2020-6163

What is CVE-2020-6163?

The CVE-2020-6163 vulnerability is found in the WikibaseMediaInfo extension 1.35 for MediaWiki, allowing for cross-site scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-6163

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts on the victim's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-6163

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability arises from incorrect template syntax within the PropertySuggestionsWidget template in the templates/search/PropertySuggestionsWidget.mustache+dom file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WikibaseMediaInfo extension 1.35
Vendor: MediaWiki
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through the PropertySuggestionsWidget template, leading to XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by MediaWiki.
Implement input validation to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update extensions and plugins to their latest versions.
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the WikibaseMediaInfo extension and MediaWiki are kept up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.