---
id: "CVE-2026-116872"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-116872"]
title: "Semantic MediaWiki: crafted search terms exhaust CPU via quadratic parsing"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.7
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["mediawiki", "package", "php", "self-hosted", "semantic-mediawiki"]
not_affected_if: ["extended-search-disabled", "version-7.3.1-or-later"]
published_at: "2026-10-27T11:17:28+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-27T11:31:27+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-27T11:31:41+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-116872", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-27T11:31:27+00:00"}]
---

# Semantic MediaWiki: crafted search terms exhaust CPU via quadratic parsing

Semantic MediaWiki from 3.0.0 before 7.3.1 has a quadratic-time parser in TermParser::normalize_compact_form(). An unauthenticated attacker can send long search terms with many in:(...) or has:(...) expressions to Special:Search and exhaust PHP search workers.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed Semantic MediaWiki version in the wiki's Special:Version page or in composer.lock for `mediawiki/semantic-media-wiki`.
- Check whether the extended search engine is enabled in the wiki's LocalSettings.php configuration.

## Fix

- Upgrade Semantic MediaWiki to `7.3.1` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-27T11:31:27+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-116872

## From the sources

Semantic MediaWiki from 3.0.0 before 7.3.1 contains an algorithmic complexity vulnerability in TermParser::normalize_compact_form() that allows unauthenticated attackers to cause quadratic CPU consumption. Attackers can submit long search terms with many distinct in:(...) or has:(...) expressions to Special:Search to exhaust PHP search workers when the extended search engine is enabled.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_