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CVE-2025-62697NVD status: Deferred

Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

CVE-2025-62697 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension from Wikimedia Foundation, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.39 as the first without the flaw, so updating Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension to 1.39 or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
The Wikimedia FoundationMediawiki - LanguageSelector Extensionmaster up to, but not including, 1.391.39

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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.
Attack requirements
NoneThe attack does not depend on a particular deployment or configuration.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
LowLimited loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
Integrity (vulnerable system)
LowLimited loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
Availability (vulnerable system)
HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
Confidentiality (other systems)
LowLimited loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Integrity (other systems)
LowLimited loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Availability (other systems)
LowLimited loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.

Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:H/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA.

Official description

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') vulnerability in The Wikimedia Foundation Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension allows Code Injection.This issue affects Mediawiki - LanguageSelector Extension: from master before 1.39.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
  • Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities (CWE-74)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities

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