# CVE-2017-0372: Parameters injection in SyntaxHighlight results in multiple vulnerabilities

> Attackers can inject parameters into the SyntaxHighlight extension to execute arbitrary code or bypass security controls in MediaWiki installations.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Apr 2018
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-0372, GHSA-c759-44hj-j247

## What is CVE-2017-0372?

CVE-2017-0372 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 13 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Parameters injection in the SyntaxHighlight extension of Mediawiki before 1.23.16, 1.27.3 and 1.28.2 might result in multiple vulnerabilities.

Weakness: CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-0372?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Debian Debian Linux, Mediawiki Mediawiki.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-0372?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2017-0372 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-0372 exists.

Public exploit code:

- MediaWiki SyntaxHighlight extension option injection vulnerability (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-0372 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-0372 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 13 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-0372 exists.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-0372/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-0372/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-0372
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-0372
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-0372

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-0372/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.