CVE-2021-35197
CVE-2021-35197 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-863.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
- CVSS v2: 5.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-863
- Affected product: Mediawiki
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
In MediaWiki before 1.31.15, 1.32.x through 1.35.x before 1.35.3, and 1.36.x before 1.36.1, bots have certain unintended API access. When a bot account has a "sitewide block" applied, it is able to still "purge" pages through the MediaWiki Action API (which a "sitewide block" should have prevented).
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-35197?
- In MediaWiki before 1.31.15, 1.32.x through 1.35.x before 1.35.3, and 1.36.x before 1.36.1, bots have certain unintended API access. When a bot account has a "sitewide block" applied, it is able to still "purge" pages through the MediaWiki Action API (which a "sitewide block" should have prevented).
- How severe is CVE-2021-35197?
- CVE-2021-35197 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-2021-35197 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-35197?
- CVE-2021-35197 primarily affects Mediawiki. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-35197?
- 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-2021-35197 published?
- CVE-2021-35197 was published on 2021-07-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00003.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/CJDYJQWT43GBD6GNQ4OW7JOZ6WQ6DZTN/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MDBPECBWN6LWNSWIQMVXK6PP4YFEUYHA/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/QNEAI2T3Y65I55ZB6UE6RMC662RZTGRX/
- https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/mediawiki-announce%40lists.wikimedia.org/thread/YR3X4L2CPSEJVSY543AWEO65TD6APXHP/
- https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T280226
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-40
- https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4979
Affected products (7)
- cpe:2.3:a:mediawiki:mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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