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Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki smwtask update task

Priority MEDIUM 64CWE-862Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
None · Low · Low
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-862.

Summary

Semantic MediaWiki from 7.3.0 before 7.3.1 has a missing authorization flaw (CWE-862) in the smwtask update task. Users with edit rights can force semantic updates on arbitrary pages by supplying a serialized subject parameter for a restricted page. This triggers forced reparsing, semantic-store writes, and resource-intensive dependency work. A public proof of concept is linked in the references.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04

Description from the CNA

Semantic MediaWiki from 7.3.0 before 7.3.1 contains a missing authorization vulnerability in the smwtask update task that allows users with edit rights to force semantic updates on arbitrary pages. Attackers can supply a serialized subject parameter for a restricted page to trigger forced reparsing, semantic-store writes, and resource-intensive dependency work.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00221 12th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed SemanticMediaWiki (SemanticMediaWiki): 7.3.1

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
SemanticMediaWikiSemanticMediaWiki7.3.0 to before 7.3.17.3.1Patch availableCNA
  • SemanticMediaWiki VendorSemanticMediaWiki Affected 7.3.0 to before 7.3.1 Fixed in 7.3.1 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:*7.3.0 to before 7.3.1VulnerableSemanticMediaWiki
  • cpe:2.3:a:semantic-mediawiki:semantic_mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:mediawiki:*:* Versions 7.3.0 to before 7.3.1 Vulnerable ·SemanticMediaWiki

Remediation

Upgrade Semantic MediaWiki to version 7.3.1, which fixes the vulnerability.

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-2026-81075 Uncontrolled recursion in Semantic MediaWiki via Special:AskPriority HIGH 77

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-27 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-116879
  2. 2026-10-27 Alias added: GHSA-562p-4gfm-c22f
  3. 2026-10-28 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
  4. 2026-11-04 CISA SSVC decision points changed
  5. 2026-11-04 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM

References

  • 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-2026-81075 Uncontrolled recursion in Semantic MediaWiki via Special:Ask 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-2026-81080 Missing authorization in Semantic MediaWiki lets editors lock pages CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
See all 22 →

Sources