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CVE Record

CVE-2019-12473: Wikimedia MediaWiki 1.27.0 through 1.32.1 might allow DoS.

Wikimedia MediaWiki 1.27.0 through 1.32.1 might allow DoS. Passing invalid titles to the API could cause a DoS by querying the entire watchlist table. 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

CVE-2019-12473 is a MediaWiki denial-of-service issue. Invalid API title input could trigger expensive queries across the watchlist table, potentially degrading or interrupting wiki availability. Fixed versions are listed for supported branches, but the source bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, or confirmed exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Treat this as a timely availability risk for affected wikis, not a confirmed breach issue. Patch public or business-critical MediaWiki systems first, because denial of service can disrupt knowledge bases, support portals, or community operations.

Technical view

MediaWiki 1.27.0 through 1.32.1 could mishandle invalid titles passed to the API, causing queries against the entire watchlist table. The issue was fixed in 1.32.2, 1.31.2, 1.30.2, and 1.27.6, with Debian also publishing DSA-4460 security update guidance.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely for MediaWiki deployments running 1.27.0 through 1.32.1, especially where API access is reachable by users or the internet. The bundle does not specify authentication requirements or affected configurations beyond those versions.

Exploitation context

The CVE source states the API could be abused with invalid titles to cause denial of service. CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not state that active exploitation has occurred.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE summary, Debian advisory, Wikimedia confirmation, and Phabricator reference. The bundle identifies affected version ranges and fixed releases but provides no CVSS vector, CWE, proof of exploitation, or detailed prerequisite information.

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 packages where MediaWiki is installed from Debian repositories.
  • Confirm vendor guidance for non-Debian package sources before choosing a remediation path.
  • Prioritize remediation for public or heavily used wiki API endpoints.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all MediaWiki instances and record exact version numbers.
  • Confirm each instance is at a fixed MediaWiki version or patched distribution package.
  • Review change records for Debian DSA-4460 or equivalent vendor security updates.
  • Check API and database monitoring for unexplained availability or watchlist-query spikes.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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.