CVE-2025-62658 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the MediaWiki WatchAnalytics extension versions 1.43 and 1.44. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), which allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code into database queries executed by the extension. The WatchAnalytics extension is used to provide analytical insights into user watchlists within MediaWiki, a widely used open-source wiki platform. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring authentication, though it requires low privileges and some user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link or submitting specially crafted input. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates a network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:L), user interaction required (UI:P), and high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H, I:H, A:U). This means an attacker can potentially extract sensitive data, modify or delete data, or disrupt service availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the presence of this vulnerability in popular MediaWiki deployments makes it a significant threat. The lack of current patches or mitigations in the provided data suggests that organizations must be vigilant and implement interim controls. The vulnerability affects only specific versions of the WatchAnalytics extension, so upgrading to a fixed version once released is critical. Additionally, the vulnerability does not affect the core MediaWiki software but only the WatchAnalytics extension, which narrows the scope but still impacts many deployments that rely on this extension for analytics.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62658 can be substantial, especially for those using MediaWiki with the WatchAnalytics extension for internal knowledge bases, documentation, or collaborative projects. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in MediaWiki databases, including user data and internal analytics. Data integrity could be compromised by malicious alteration or deletion of records, undermining trust in the information repository. Availability could also be affected if attackers disrupt database operations, causing denial of service. Public sector entities, academic institutions, and large enterprises in Europe that rely on MediaWiki for transparency and collaboration are at heightened risk. The vulnerability could be leveraged for further lateral movement or privilege escalation within networks if attackers gain database access. Given the high CVSS score and the critical nature of data often stored in MediaWiki instances, the threat could lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for user interaction and low privileges reduces the ease of exploitation but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with many users or public-facing MediaWiki instances.

1. Monitor The Wikimedia Foundation and trusted security advisories for official patches addressing CVE-2025-62658 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to the WatchAnalytics extension by limiting user permissions and disabling the extension if feasible. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user inputs interacting with the WatchAnalytics extension to prevent injection of malicious SQL commands. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting MediaWiki extensions. 5. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of MediaWiki extensions to identify and remediate injection vulnerabilities proactively. 6. Educate users about the risks of interacting with suspicious links or inputs that could trigger the vulnerability. 7. Isolate MediaWiki instances in segmented network zones to limit potential lateral movement in case of compromise. 8. Maintain comprehensive backups of MediaWiki databases to enable recovery in case of data corruption or deletion. 9. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or errors indicative of attempted exploitation. 10. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block SQL Injection attacks in real time.