Uncontrolled recursion in Semantic MediaWiki via Special:Ask
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-674.
Summary
Semantic MediaWiki from 3.0.0 before 7.3.1 contains uncontrolled recursion (CWE-674) in LegacyParser::getSubqueryDescription(), which processes nested query tokens before depth limits apply. An unauthenticated remote attacker can submit deeply nested query elements to the action=ask API, consuming substantial CPU and memory and tying up request workers. A public proof-of-concept exploit is linked in the references.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
Semantic MediaWiki 3.0.0 before 7.3.1 contains an uncontrolled recursion vulnerability in LegacyParser::getSubqueryDescription() that processes nested query tokens before depth limits apply. Unauthenticated attackers can submit deeply nested query elements to the action=ask API to consume substantial CPU and memory, tying up request workers.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SemanticMediaWiki | SemanticMediaWiki | 3.0.0 to before 7.3.1 | 7.3.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- SemanticMediaWiki VendorSemanticMediaWiki Affected 3.0.0 to before 7.3.1 Fixed in 7.3.1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:* | 3.0.0 to before 7.3.1 | Vulnerable | SemanticMediaWiki |
- cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:* Versions 3.0.0 to before 7.3.1 Vulnerable ·SemanticMediaWiki
Remediation
Upgrade SemanticMediaWiki to version 7.3.1 or later.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA SemanticMediaWiki (SemanticMediaWiki) Fixed in 7.3.1
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
SemanticMediaWiki 7.3.1
20 records Highest priority Priority HIGH 4 HIGH, 13 MEDIUM, 3 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-81081 Resource exhaustion in Semantic MediaWiki via #set_recurring_eventPriority HIGH 77
- TI-2026-81076 Semantic MediaWiki search lets attackers exhaust CPU via long termsPriority HIGH 77
- TI-2026-81077 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask APIPriority HIGH 70
Timeline
- 2026-10-27 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-116871
- 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-p6m4-5726-45x8
- 2026-10-28 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-04 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-04 Priority changed: LOW → HIGH
References
More SemanticMediaWiki Semantic Mediawiki vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-81081 Resource exhaustion in Semantic MediaWiki via #set_recurring_event CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-81076 Semantic MediaWiki search lets attackers exhaust CPU via long terms CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-81077 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask API CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
- TI-2026-81084 Cross-site request forgery in Semantic MediaWiki SMWAdmin page CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
- TI-2026-81083 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask update task CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
- TI-2026-81080 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki lets editors lock pages CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
Sources
- CVE-2026-116871 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-116871 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-p6m4-5726-45x8 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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