This is expected behavior: the target wiki has $wgGroupPermissions['*']['read'] = false; , so unless you log in first or pass a valid login cookie with the request, you won't be able to run action=query.

Roan, IMO this behavior is a bit unclear.

Perhaps there should be a distinction between "I don't know what this action is" and "I know what this action is, but won't do it because you don't have permission"? It would make it much easier for people encountering it to understand what they need to do to rectify the situation.

(In reply to comment #2)

Roan, IMO this behavior is a bit unclear.

Perhaps there should be a distinction between "I don't know what this action
is" and "I know what this action is, but won't do it because you don't have
permission"? It would make it much easier for people encountering it to
understand what they need to do to rectify the situation.

Yeah, I've felt this way for a while too, especially considering hiding action=edit and friends from users who can't edit. It's behavior that Yuri added back in the old days, but since he's been gone for quite a while now that ought to not stop me anymore :D

I'll fix this up later this evening.

(In reply to comment #3)

Yeah, I've felt this way for a while too, especially considering hiding
action=edit and friends from users who can't edit. It's behavior that Yuri
added back in the old days, but since he's been gone for quite a while now that
ought to not stop me anymore :D

I'll fix this up later this evening.

Fixed both of these issues in r48091.