How severe is CVE-2020-35623?

CVE-2020-35623 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-35623 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-35623?

CVE-2020-35623 affects Mediawiki. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-35623?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-35623 published?

CVE-2020-35623 was published on 2020-12-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-35623

CVE-2020-35623 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mediawiki with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (61st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Mediawiki
Published: 2020-12-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in the CasAuth extension for MediaWiki through 1.35.1. Due to improper username validation, it allowed user impersonation with trivial manipulations of certain characters within a given username. An ordinary user may be able to login as a "bureaucrat user" who has a similar username, as demonstrated by usernames that differ only in (1) bidirectional override symbols or (2) blank space.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-35623?: An issue was discovered in the CasAuth extension for MediaWiki through 1.35.1. Due to improper username validation, it allowed user impersonation with trivial manipulations of certain characters within a given username. An ordinary user may be able to login as a "bureaucrat user" who has a similar username, as demonstrated by usernames that differ only in (1) bidirectional override symbols or (2) blank space.
How severe is CVE-2020-35623?: CVE-2020-35623 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-35623 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-35623?: CVE-2020-35623 affects Mediawiki. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-35623?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-35623 published?: CVE-2020-35623 was published on 2020-12-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mediawiki:mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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