Wiki security

1. Wiki Security: A Beginner's Guide

This article provides a comprehensive overview of wiki security, focusing on measures applicable to MediaWiki installations, particularly version 1.40. It’s designed for administrators and users who want to understand the vulnerabilities inherent in wiki systems and how to mitigate them. We will cover a broad range of topics, from basic user management and permission controls to advanced security extensions and server-level hardening.

Introduction

Wikis, by their very nature, are collaborative platforms. This collaborative spirit, while a strength, also presents significant security challenges. Because wikis encourage open contribution and editing, they are potential targets for vandalism, malicious code injection, and unauthorized access. Effective wiki security is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process of assessment, implementation, and monitoring. Ignoring security can lead to data breaches, reputation damage, and loss of user trust. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to secure your MediaWiki instance.

Understanding Wiki Vulnerabilities

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand the common vulnerabilities that affect wikis. These fall into several categories:

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): This is one of the most prevalent wiki vulnerabilities. XSS occurs when malicious scripts are injected into wiki pages. When other users view these pages, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting them to phishing sites, or modifying the page content. Manual:Shortcode can unintentionally introduce XSS vectors if not handled carefully.
• SQL Injection: If your wiki's database is not properly secured, attackers can inject malicious SQL code into input fields. This can allow them to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, or even modify the database.
• Wiki Syntax Exploits: MediaWiki’s flexible wiki syntax can sometimes be exploited to bypass security measures or inject malicious code. Careful parsing and sanitization of user input are essential.
• Brute-Force Attacks: Attackers may attempt to guess user passwords through automated brute-force attacks. Strong password policies and account lockout mechanisms are crucial.
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) & Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: These attacks aim to overwhelm the wiki server with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users. Rate limiting and using a content delivery network (CDN) can help mitigate these threats. See Help:Range blocks for information on blocking malicious IP ranges.
• File Upload Vulnerabilities: If file uploads are enabled, attackers might upload malicious files (e.g., web shells) that can compromise the server. Strict file type validation and scanning are essential.
• Privilege Escalation: Attackers might attempt to exploit vulnerabilities to gain higher privileges than they are authorized to have (e.g., becoming an administrator). Careful permission management is key.
• Session Hijacking: Attackers may attempt to steal user session cookies to gain unauthorized access to the wiki. Using HTTPS and implementing secure session management practices are vital.

User Management and Permissions

Strong user management is the foundation of any secure wiki.

• Account Creation: Consider disabling open account creation and requiring administrator approval for new accounts. This can help prevent bot accounts and malicious users from gaining access. Extension:ConfirmAccount can automate account confirmation.
• Password Policies: Enforce strong password policies, requiring users to choose passwords that are long, complex, and unique. Consider using a password strength meter. Extension:PasswordReset provides a secure password reset mechanism.
• User Groups: Utilize MediaWiki’s user group system to assign appropriate permissions to users. Minimize the number of administrators and grant only the necessary permissions to each user group. Understanding the roles of Help:User rights is essential.
• Account Lockout: Implement an account lockout mechanism that temporarily disables accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all users, especially administrators. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of verification (e.g., a code from their phone) in addition to their password. Extension:TwoFactorAuth is a popular option.
• Regular Audits: Regularly review user accounts and permissions to ensure that they are still appropriate. Remove inactive accounts and revoke unnecessary privileges. Special:ListUsers allows for easy user management.

Securing Your MediaWiki Installation

Beyond user management, several technical measures can be taken to secure your MediaWiki installation.

• Keep MediaWiki Up-to-Date: Regularly update MediaWiki to the latest version. Updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities. See Manual:Upgrading for detailed instructions.
• Secure Configuration (LocalSettings.php): The `LocalSettings.php` file contains critical configuration settings. Protect this file by restricting access to it on the server. Disable directory listing to prevent users from browsing the contents of your wiki’s directories. Consider using a strong random salt for password hashing.
• HTTPS: Always use HTTPS to encrypt communication between the wiki server and users' browsers. This protects sensitive data (e.g., passwords, cookies) from being intercepted. Let's Encrypt ([1](https://letsencrypt.org/)) provides free SSL/TLS certificates.
• Database Security: Secure your wiki’s database by using a strong password for the database user and restricting access to the database server. Regularly back up your database to protect against data loss.
• File Upload Security: If file uploads are enabled, implement strict file type validation and scanning. Only allow uploads of necessary file types and scan all uploaded files for malware. Consider using a dedicated antivirus scanner. Manual:Configuring_file_uploads details configuration options.
• Disable Unnecessary Features: Disable any unnecessary features or extensions that are not required for your wiki’s functionality. This reduces the attack surface.
• Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting to prevent brute-force attacks and DoS attacks. This limits the number of requests that can be made from a single IP address within a given time period. Consider using a web application firewall (WAF) for advanced rate limiting capabilities.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF can help protect your wiki from a variety of attacks, including XSS, SQL injection, and DoS attacks. Popular WAF options include ModSecurity ([2](https://www.modsecurity.org/)) and Cloudflare ([3](https://www.cloudflare.com/)).
• Regular Backups: Regularly back up your entire wiki installation, including the database, files, and configuration. Store backups in a secure location that is separate from the wiki server. Manual:Backups details backup strategies.
• Server Hardening: Harden your wiki server by applying security patches, disabling unnecessary services, and configuring a firewall. Use a secure operating system and follow security best practices.

Security Extensions

MediaWiki offers a variety of extensions that can enhance security.

• Extension:AbuseFilter: This extension allows you to define filters that detect and prevent abusive behavior, such as vandalism, spam, and personal attacks. Extension:AbuseFilter/Configuration provides detailed configuration information.
• Extension:SpamBlacklist: This extension blocks known spam links and patterns. Extension:SpamBlacklist/Configuration details configuration options.
• Extension:TitleBlacklist: This extension prevents the creation of pages with certain titles. This can be useful for preventing the creation of offensive or inappropriate pages.
• Extension:ConfirmEdit: This extension requires new or less experienced users to have their edits reviewed by a trusted user before they are published. Extension:ConfirmEdit/Configuration provides configuration instructions.
• Extension:AntiSpoof: This extension helps to prevent users from creating accounts with usernames that are similar to those of existing users.
• Extension:SecureConfirmEdit: Adds CAPTCHAs to edits to prevent automated editing by bots.
• Extension:WikiLove: Provides tools for detecting and reverting vandalism.

Monitoring and Logging

Regularly monitoring your wiki and reviewing logs is essential for detecting and responding to security incidents.

• Access Logs: Review access logs to identify suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts.
• Edit History: Monitor the edit history of important pages to detect vandalism or malicious changes. Special:Watchlist helps you monitor changes to specific pages.
• AbuseLog: Review the AbuseLog to see what actions have been taken by the AbuseFilter.
• Error Logs: Monitor the error logs for any errors or warnings that might indicate a security problem.
• Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your wiki installation to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Consider using a vulnerability scanner. Tools like OWASP ZAP ([4](https://www.zaproxy.org/)) can automate vulnerability scanning.

Resources and Further Learning

• OWASP Wiki Security Project: [5](https://owasp.org/www-project-wiki-security/)
• MediaWiki Security Documentation: [6](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Security)
• SANS Institute: [7](https://www.sans.org/)
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework: [8](https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework)
• Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): [9](https://cwe.mitre.org/)
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework: [10](https://attack.mitre.org/)
• SecurityFocus: [11](https://www.securityfocus.com/)
• Krebs on Security: [12](https://krebsonsecurity.com/)
• Troy Hunt’s Blog: [13](https://www.troyhunt.com/)
• The Hacker News: [14](https://thehackernews.com/)
• Dark Reading: [15](https://www.darkreading.com/)
• Nmap: [16](https://nmap.org/) – Network mapper for vulnerability scanning.
• Wireshark: [17](https://www.wireshark.org/) – Network protocol analyzer.
• Burp Suite: [18](https://portswigger.net/burp) – Web application security testing tool.
• Qualys SSL Labs: [19](https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) – SSL server test.
• CIS Benchmarks: [20](https://www.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/) – Security configuration benchmarks.
• Nessus: [21](https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus) - Vulnerability scanner.
• Metasploit Framework: [22](https://www.metasploit.com/) - Penetration testing framework.
• Shodan: [23](https://www.shodan.io/) - Search engine for internet-connected devices.
• VirusTotal: [24](https://www.virustotal.com/) - Online virus scanner.
• SecurityTrails: [25](https://securitytrails.com/) – Domain and DNS intelligence.

Conclusion

Securing a wiki requires a layered approach, encompassing user management, technical safeguards, and ongoing monitoring. By implementing the measures outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches and ensure the integrity and availability of your MediaWiki installation. Remember that security is an ongoing process, and you must stay informed about new threats and vulnerabilities and adapt your security measures accordingly. Help:System messages can be configured to alert administrators to potential security issues.

Help:Installation Manual:Configuration Manual:FAQ Extension:AbuseFilter Special:ListUsers Help:User rights Manual:Shortcode Manual:Upgrading Manual:Configuring_file_uploads Manual:Backups

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