Description
MediaWiki before 1.17.1 does not check for read permission before handling action=ajax requests, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by (1) leveraging the SpecialUpload::ajaxGetExistsWarning function, or by (2) leveraging an extension, as demonstrated by the CategoryTree, ExtTab, and InlineEditor extensions.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | mediawiki | 1:1.15.5-4 | — |
| Debian 13 | mediawiki | 1:1.15.5-4 | — |
| Debian 12 | mediawiki | 1:1.15.5-4 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | mediawiki | 1:1.15.5-2squeeze2 | DSA-2366-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | mediawiki | 1:1.12.0-2lenny9 | DSA-2366-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-2366-1 mediawiki - multiple Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [mediawiki-announce] 20111128 MediaWiki security release 1.17.1 mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=758171
- [oss-security] 20111129 CVE request: mediawiki before 1.17.1 mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=32616
- [oss-security] 20111129 Re: CVE request: mediawiki before 1.17.1 mailing-list
- DSA-2366 vendor-advisory