Security Auditing

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  1. Security Auditing

Introduction

Security auditing is a critical process for maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of a MediaWiki installation. It involves a systematic evaluation of the system's security posture, identifying vulnerabilities, and recommending mitigation strategies. This article provides a comprehensive overview of security auditing for beginners, covering its importance, types, methodologies, tools, and best practices specifically tailored for a MediaWiki environment running version 1.40 or earlier. A robust security audit isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process essential for adapting to the ever-evolving threat landscape.

Why is Security Auditing Important for MediaWiki?

MediaWiki installations, particularly those publicly accessible, are attractive targets for malicious actors. These attacks can range from defacement and data breaches to denial-of-service attacks. A successful attack can have severe consequences, including:

  • **Reputational Damage:** A compromised wiki can erode trust among users and stakeholders.
  • **Data Loss:** Sensitive information stored within the wiki (user data, confidential documents, etc.) could be stolen or destroyed.
  • **Service Disruption:** Attacks can render the wiki unavailable, disrupting access to information.
  • **Legal and Regulatory Implications:** Depending on the data stored, a breach could lead to legal penalties.
  • **SEO Penalties:** Google and other search engines can penalize websites that have been compromised.

Regular security audits help to proactively identify and address these risks, minimizing the likelihood of a successful attack. Furthermore, conducting audits demonstrates a commitment to security, which can be important for compliance with industry regulations and standards. Ignoring security can create a significant Security Risk.

Types of Security Audits

Several types of security audits can be performed on a MediaWiki installation. These can be categorized based on their scope and methodology:

  • **Vulnerability Assessment:** This is the most common type of audit. It focuses on identifying known vulnerabilities in the software (MediaWiki core, extensions, server software) and configuration. Tools like OWASP ZAP and Nikto are commonly used for this purpose.
  • **Penetration Testing (Pen Testing):** This goes beyond vulnerability scanning by actively attempting to exploit identified vulnerabilities. Penetration testers simulate real-world attacks to assess the effectiveness of security controls. Pen testing can be "black box" (no prior knowledge of the system), "grey box" (limited knowledge), or "white box" (full knowledge).
  • **Security Configuration Review:** This audit examines the configuration of the server, MediaWiki itself, and any related components (databases, web servers) to ensure they adhere to security best practices. This includes reviewing file permissions, access controls, and logging settings.
  • **Code Review:** This involves manually inspecting the source code of MediaWiki extensions or custom modifications to identify potential security flaws. This is particularly important if you've developed your own extensions or themes.
  • **Log Analysis:** Analyzing system logs can reveal suspicious activity and potential security incidents. This includes reviewing MediaWiki's logs, web server logs, and database logs.
  • **Compliance Audit:** This assesses whether the MediaWiki installation meets specific security standards or regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Security Auditing Methodology

A structured methodology is crucial for conducting a thorough and effective security audit. Here's a typical approach:

1. **Planning and Scoping:** Define the scope of the audit, including the systems to be assessed, the types of tests to be performed, and the budget and timeline. Clearly delineate what is *in* and *out* of scope. 2. **Information Gathering:** Collect information about the MediaWiki installation, including its configuration, installed extensions, server environment, and network topology. Tools like `nmap` can be used for network discovery. 3. **Vulnerability Identification:** Use vulnerability scanners and manual techniques to identify potential weaknesses. Consult vulnerability databases such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list. Extension Security is a crucial area. 4. **Exploitation (Penetration Testing):** Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to assess their impact. This should be done in a controlled environment to avoid disrupting the production system. 5. **Analysis and Reporting:** Analyze the results of the audit and prepare a detailed report outlining the identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and recommended remediation steps. 6. **Remediation:** Implement the recommended security measures to address the identified vulnerabilities. 7. **Verification:** Re-test the system after remediation to ensure the vulnerabilities have been effectively addressed. 8. **Ongoing Monitoring:** Implement continuous monitoring and logging to detect and respond to future security threats.

Tools for Security Auditing

Several tools can assist in the security auditing process:

Specific Security Considerations for MediaWiki 1.40 and Earlier

MediaWiki versions 1.40 and earlier have known vulnerabilities that should be specifically addressed during a security audit. These include:

  • **SQL Injection:** Older versions of MediaWiki were susceptible to SQL injection attacks, particularly in extensions. Ensure all extensions are up-to-date and that input validation is properly implemented. See [10](https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/) for more information on SQL Injection.
  • **Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):** XSS vulnerabilities can allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into wiki pages. Ensure proper output encoding is used to prevent XSS attacks. [11](https://owasp.org/www-project-xss/)
  • **Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):** CSRF attacks can allow attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Ensure CSRF protection is enabled in MediaWiki's configuration. [12](https://owasp.org/www-project-csrf/)
  • **File Upload Vulnerabilities:** If file uploads are enabled, ensure proper validation and sanitization are performed to prevent the upload of malicious files. Restrict file types to only those that are necessary.
  • **Extension Vulnerabilities:** Outdated or poorly maintained extensions can introduce significant security risks. Regularly update all extensions and remove any that are no longer needed. See Extension Management for details.
  • **Default Credentials:** Change all default credentials for MediaWiki, the database, and the server.
  • **Insecure Permissions:** Ensure proper file and directory permissions are set to prevent unauthorized access. Avoid world-writable permissions.
  • **Information Disclosure:** Review MediaWiki's configuration to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, such as database credentials or internal paths.
  • **Denial of Service (DoS):** Implement rate limiting and other measures to protect against DoS attacks. [13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial-of-service_attack)
  • **Session Management:** Ensure strong session management practices are in place, including secure cookies and session timeouts. [14](https://owasp.org/www-project-session-management-cheat-sheet/)

Best Practices for MediaWiki Security

  • **Keep MediaWiki Up-to-Date:** Regularly update to the latest stable version of MediaWiki to benefit from security patches.
  • **Keep Extensions Up-to-Date:** Update all extensions to their latest versions.
  • **Use Strong Passwords:** Enforce strong password policies for all users.
  • **Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):** Implement 2FA for enhanced security. Two-Factor Authentication
  • **Limit User Permissions:** Grant users only the minimum necessary permissions.
  • **Regular Backups:** Perform regular backups of the MediaWiki installation and database.
  • **Monitor Logs:** Regularly review system logs for suspicious activity.
  • **Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF):** A WAF can help to protect against common web attacks. [15](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/ddos/what-is-a-waf/)
  • **Use HTTPS:** Enable HTTPS to encrypt communication between the server and users.
  • **Content Security Policy (CSP):** Implement a strong CSP to mitigate XSS attacks. [16](https://owasp.org/www-project-csp/)
  • **Regular Security Audits:** Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • **Input Validation:** Implement robust input validation to prevent injection attacks.
  • **Output Encoding:** Use proper output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.
  • **Database Security:** Secure the database server and restrict access to authorized users only.
  • **Server Hardening:** Harden the server operating system by disabling unnecessary services and applying security patches. [17](https://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/hardening/)
  • **Consider a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system:** For larger deployments, a SIEM can centralize log analysis and threat detection. [18](https://www.ibm.com/topics/siem)
  • **Stay Informed:** Keep up-to-date with the latest security threats and vulnerabilities affecting MediaWiki. Follow security blogs and mailing lists. [19](https://security.stackexchange.com/)
  • **Threat Intelligence Feeds:** Integrate threat intelligence feeds into your security monitoring processes. [20](https://www.recordedfuture.com/)
  • **Incident Response Plan:** Develop and maintain an incident response plan to handle security breaches effectively. [21](https://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/incident-handlers-handbook/)
  • **Zero Trust Architecture:** Consider implementing a Zero Trust security model. [22](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/security/what-is-zero-trust/)

Resources

By following these guidelines and conducting regular security audits, you can significantly improve the security of your MediaWiki installation and protect it from malicious attacks. Remember that security is an ongoing process, not a destination.


MediaWiki Administration Security Extensions Database Security User Rights Management Extension Management Configuration Troubleshooting Backups Updates Two-Factor Authentication

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