Mediawiki: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
CVE-2022-28203 is a high-severity release of invalid pointer or reference vulnerability in Mediawiki, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 1.35.6, 1.36.4, 1.37.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Mediawiki to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 75% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Mediawiki to 1.35.6 or 1.36.4 or 1.37.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on phabricator.wikimedia.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| MediaWiki | Mediawiki | before 1.35.6; 1.36.0 up to, but not including, 1.36.4; 1.37.0 up to, but not including, 1.37.2 | 1.35.6, 1.36.4, 1.37.2 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0; 11.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
A denial-of-service issue was discovered in MediaWiki before 1.35.6, 1.36.x before 1.36.4, and 1.37.x before 1.37.2. When many files exist, requesting Special:NewFiles with actor as a condition can result in a very long running query.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system, but it calls the wrong release function or calls the appropriate release function incorrectly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Only call matching memory management functions. Do not mix and match routines. For example, when you allocate a buffer with malloc(), dispose of the original pointer with free().
- When programming in C++, consider using smart pointers provided by the boost library to help correctly and consistently manage memory.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers.
More Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-763)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- phabricator.wikimedia.org/T297731Exploit, Issue Tracking
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/09/msg00027.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5246Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Mediawiki
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
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