CVE-2013-4304: The CentralAuth extension for MediaWiki 1.19.x before 1.19.8, 1.20.x before 1.20.7, and 1.21.x before 1.21.2 c

This month

HIGH 7.5MITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2013-4304 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting centralauth extension, mediawiki. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The CentralAuth extension for MediaWiki 1.19.x before 1.19.8, 1.20.x before 1.20.7, and 1.21.x before 1.21.2 caches a valid CentralAuthUser object in the centralauth_User cookie even when a user has not successfully logged in, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication without a password.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2014-01-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: brion vibber · mediawiki

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-01-26 20:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

brion vibber centralauth extension MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy centralauth-extension || rpm -q centralauth-extension || centralauth-extension --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

mediawiki mediawiki DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.19 · 1.19 beta_1 · 1.19 beta_2 · 1.19.0 · 1.19.1 · 1.19.2 · 1.19.3 · 1.19.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.19

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mediawiki || rpm -q mediawiki || mediawiki --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mediawiki sudo apt install mediawiki=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.19> sudo apt-mark hold mediawiki

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mediawiki sudo dnf downgrade mediawiki-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.19> sudo dnf versionlock add mediawiki

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2013-4304?

centralauth extension: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mediawiki: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-4304 being exploited?

CVE-2013-4304 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2013-4304 affect?

CVE-2013-4304 affects centralauth extension, mediawiki. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The CentralAuth extension for MediaWiki 1.19.x before 1.19.8, 1.20.x before 1.20.7, and 1.21.x before 1.21.2 caches a valid CentralAuthUser object in the centralauth_User cookie even when a user has not successfully logged in, which allows

How urgent is CVE-2013-4304?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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