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CVE Record

CVE-2019-12471: Wikimedia MediaWiki 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 has XSS.

Wikimedia MediaWiki 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 has XSS. Loading user JavaScript from a non-existent account allows anyone to create the account, and perform XSS on users loading that script. Fixed in 1.32.2, 1.31.2, 1.30.2 and 1.27.6.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue affects MediaWiki sites running 1.30.0 through 1.32.1. A user JavaScript reference tied to a non-existent account could later be claimed, letting the new account owner run script against users who load it. That creates account takeover, content manipulation, or session-risk concerns typical of XSS.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or large community MediaWiki sites. The issue is not documented here as actively exploited, but XSS in a trusted wiki can expose users and administrators to meaningful account and content integrity risk.

Technical view

CVE-2019-12471 is an XSS flaw in MediaWiki user JavaScript loading. If scripts were loaded from an account name that did not exist, anyone could create that account and control the JavaScript executed for users loading it. The CVE states fixes in 1.32.2, 1.31.2, 1.30.2, and 1.27.6.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to MediaWiki installations in the stated vulnerable ranges, especially sites allowing or using user JavaScript references. Public wikis and authenticated user communities may have higher business impact because many users can be exposed through trusted site context.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described issue is plausible to abuse where users load JavaScript from non-existent account names, but the provided sources do not include exploit prevalence, public exploit tooling, or observed incidents.

Researcher notes

No CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected CPE data is provided in the bundle. The strongest evidence is the CVE description, Wikimedia confirmation reference, Phabricator task, and Debian advisory. Avoid assuming broader product impact beyond MediaWiki versions named in the record.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade MediaWiki to 1.32.2, 1.31.2, 1.30.2, 1.27.6, or later supported releases.
  • Apply Debian DSA-4460 updates where MediaWiki is installed from Debian packages.
  • Check Wikimedia and distribution guidance for any site-specific configuration recommendations.
  • Review use of user JavaScript pages and remove stale references to non-existent accounts.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all MediaWiki instances and record exact versions.
  • Confirm production is not running MediaWiki 1.30.0 through 1.32.1 without the fixed update.
  • Check package history for Debian DSA-4460 or equivalent vendor security update.
  • Review wiki configuration and pages for user JavaScript references to missing accounts.
  • Validate remediation in staging before production rollout.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.