Security audit

1. Security Audit

A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a system to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations. In the context of a MediaWiki installation, a security audit is crucial for protecting sensitive information, maintaining the integrity of the wiki content, and ensuring uninterrupted service. This article provides a comprehensive overview of security audits for MediaWiki, geared towards beginners.

Why are Security Audits Important for MediaWiki?

MediaWiki, being a widely used platform for collaborative content creation, is a frequent target for malicious actors. Without regular security audits, a MediaWiki installation is susceptible to various threats, including:

• Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the wiki, potentially including user accounts, edit histories, and confidential information.
• Defacement: Malicious alteration of wiki content, damaging the reputation and credibility of the platform.
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: Overwhelming the server with traffic, making the wiki inaccessible to legitimate users. See DoS protection for more information.
• Malware Injection: Introducing malicious code into the wiki, potentially compromising the server and affecting users.
• Privilege Escalation: Exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized administrative access.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
• SQL Injection: Exploiting vulnerabilities in database queries to gain unauthorized access to the database.

Regular security audits help identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring the ongoing security and reliability of your MediaWiki installation. A proactive approach to security is always preferable to a reactive one.

Types of Security Audits

Several types of security audits can be performed on a MediaWiki installation, each focusing on different aspects of security:

• Vulnerability Assessment: This is the most common type of audit, focusing on identifying known vulnerabilities in the MediaWiki software, server configuration, and installed extensions. Tools like Nikto, OWASP ZAP, and Nessus can be used to automate this process.
• Penetration Testing (Pen Testing): A more in-depth assessment where security professionals simulate real-world attacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of security controls. This requires specialized expertise and careful planning. Ethical hacking falls under this category.
• Source Code Review: Analyzing the MediaWiki source code and the code of installed extensions to identify potential security flaws. This requires a deep understanding of programming and security principles.
• Configuration Review: Evaluating the configuration of the web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx), database server (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), and MediaWiki itself to identify misconfigurations that could compromise security.
• Compliance Audit: Ensuring that the MediaWiki installation meets relevant security standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. This is particularly important if the wiki handles sensitive personal or financial information.
• Log Analysis: Examining server and application logs for suspicious activity, such as failed login attempts, unauthorized access attempts, and unusual patterns of behavior. Log monitoring is a critical component of ongoing security.

Preparing for a Security Audit

Before commencing a security audit, careful preparation is essential. This includes:

• Define Scope: Clearly define the scope of the audit, specifying which systems and components will be included.
• Identify Assets: Identify the critical assets that need to be protected, such as user data, wiki content, and server infrastructure.
• Establish Objectives: Define the objectives of the audit, such as identifying vulnerabilities, assessing compliance, or improving security posture.
• Gather Documentation: Collect relevant documentation, including system diagrams, configuration files, security policies, and vulnerability reports.
• Backup Data: Create a full backup of the MediaWiki installation, including the database and files, before starting the audit. This allows for easy restoration in case of unforeseen issues.
• Obtain Permissions: If using external security professionals, obtain necessary permissions and access rights.

Key Areas to Audit in a MediaWiki Installation

Here's a breakdown of the key areas to focus on during a MediaWiki security audit:

1. MediaWiki Core Security:

   *   Version Check:  Ensure you are running the latest stable version of MediaWiki. Older versions often contain known vulnerabilities.  Regular updates are vital. See Updating MediaWiki.
   *   File Uploads: Review the configuration of file uploads, restricting allowed file types to minimize the risk of malware injection. Disable uploads if not necessary.  Implement strict file size limits.
   *   Account Security:  Enforce strong password policies, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if possible, and monitor for suspicious account activity.  Consider implementing CAPTCHAs for account creation and login.
   *   Extension Security:  Carefully evaluate the security of all installed extensions. Only use extensions from trusted sources and keep them updated.  Disable or remove unused extensions.  See Managing extensions.
   *   Permissions and Roles: Review user permissions and roles, ensuring that users only have access to the resources they need.  Implement the principle of least privilege.

2. Server Configuration:

   *   Web Server Security: Secure the web server (Apache, Nginx) by disabling unnecessary modules, configuring proper access controls, and implementing SSL/TLS encryption.  See HTTPS configuration.
   *   Database Security:  Secure the database server (MySQL, PostgreSQL) by using strong passwords, restricting access, and regularly backing up the database.  Apply database security best practices.
   *   Operating System Security: Keep the operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches. Implement a firewall to restrict network access.
   *   PHP Security: Configure PHP to disable potentially dangerous functions and enable error reporting.  Follow PHP security best practices.

3. Network Security:

   *   Firewall Configuration:  Configure a firewall to restrict network access to the MediaWiki server, allowing only necessary traffic.
   *   Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Implement an IDS/IPS to detect and prevent malicious activity.
   *   SSL/TLS Encryption:  Use SSL/TLS encryption to protect data transmitted between the server and users.

4. Code Security (For Developers):

   *   Input Validation:  Validate all user input to prevent XSS and SQL injection attacks.
   *   Output Encoding:  Encode all output to prevent XSS attacks.
   *   Prepared Statements:  Use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks.
   *   Secure Coding Practices:  Follow secure coding practices to minimize vulnerabilities.

5. Monitoring and Logging:

   * Regular Log Review: Implement a system for regularly reviewing server and application logs for suspicious activity.
   * Intrusion Detection Systems: Utilize intrusion detection systems to alert administrators to potential security breaches.
   * Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Consider implementing a SIEM solution for centralized log management and security analysis.

Tools for Security Auditing

Numerous tools can assist with security auditing:

• Nikto: A web server scanner that identifies potential vulnerabilities. [1]
• OWASP ZAP: A free and open-source web application security scanner. [2]
• Nessus: A commercial vulnerability scanner. [3]
• OpenVAS: A free and open-source vulnerability scanner. [4]
• Wireshark: A network protocol analyzer. [5]
• Lynis: A security auditing tool for Unix-like systems. [6]
• phpMyAdmin: While primarily a database management tool, it can be used to check database permissions. [7]
• Security Headers: Tools to analyze HTTP security headers. [8]
• Qualys SSL Labs: Tests the SSL/TLS configuration of your web server. [9]
• Mozilla Observatory: Analyzes your website's security headers and configuration. [10]
• Sucuri SiteCheck: An online website scanner. [11]
• Detectify: A continuous security testing platform. [12]
• Acunetix: A web vulnerability scanner. [13]
• Burp Suite: An integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications. [14]
• Metasploit Framework: A penetration testing framework. [15]
• Nmap: A network scanner used for discovery and security auditing. [16]
• W3af: A web application attack and audit framework. [17]
• Vega: A free and open-source web security scanner and web application testing platform. [18]
• Arachni: A feature-full, modular, high-performance Ruby framework for security auditing. [19]
• SQLMap: An automatic SQL injection and database takeover tool. [20]
• XSStrike: A powerful XSS detection suite. [21]
• OWASP Dependency-Check: Identifies project dependencies and checks if they have known vulnerabilities. [22]
• SonarQube: A platform for continuous inspection of code quality and security. [23]
• Snyk: Finds and fixes vulnerabilities in open source dependencies. [24]
• Clair: An open source project for the static analysis of vulnerabilities in application containers. [25]
• Trivy: A simple and comprehensive vulnerability scanner for containers and other artifacts. [26]

Reporting and Remediation

After completing the audit, create a detailed report documenting the findings, including identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and recommended remediation steps. Prioritize remediation based on the severity and potential impact of each vulnerability. Track progress on remediation efforts and re-audit the system to verify that vulnerabilities have been addressed.

Ongoing Security

Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Regular security audits, vulnerability scanning, and proactive security measures are essential for maintaining a secure MediaWiki installation. Stay informed about the latest security threats and vulnerabilities and apply updates and patches promptly. Consider implementing a security awareness training program for users. Continuous monitoring and improvement are key to protecting your wiki from evolving threats. See Security best practices for more information.

Security Adminstration Extensions Configuration Database Server HTTPS DoS protection Log monitoring Updating MediaWiki Managing extensions Security best practices

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