CVE-2001-1402 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla before 2.14 does not properly escape untrusted parameters, which could allow remote attackers to conduct unauthorized activities via cross-site scripting (CSS) and possibly SQL injection attacks on (1) the product or output form variables for reports.cgi, (2) the voteon, bug_id, and user variables for showvotes.cgi, (3) an invalid email address in createaccount.cgi, (4) an invalid ID in showdependencytree.cgi, (5) invalid usernames and other fields in process_bug.cgi, and (6) error messages in buglist.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1402 represents a critical security flaw in Bugzilla versions prior to 2.14 that exposes multiple attack vectors through improper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. This weakness falls under the category of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and potentially enables sql injection attacks, making it a severe concern for web application security. The flaw specifically affects several key cgi scripts within the Bugzilla application that handle user input and generate dynamic output, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into output contexts. When Bugzilla processes requests through reports.cgi, showvotes.cgi, createaccount.cgi, showdependencytree.cgi, process_bug.cgi, and buglist.cgi, it does not adequately validate or escape input data that gets rendered in web responses. This inadequate input handling creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers or manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it enables unauthorized activities that could compromise the entire Bugzilla installation and its underlying data. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive information, modify bug reports, manipulate user accounts, or gain elevated privileges within the system. The cross-site scripting component allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and social engineering attacks that could affect multiple users simultaneously. Additionally, the potential sql injection capabilities could lead to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to user credentials and system information.
Organizations using vulnerable Bugzilla versions should immediately upgrade to version 2.14 or later where these escaping mechanisms have been properly implemented. The fix involves implementing proper input validation and output escaping for all user-supplied parameters across the affected scripts, ensuring that any data entering the application is sanitized before being processed or rendered in web responses. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 for cross-site scripting and CWE-89 for sql injection, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input validation creates cascading security issues that can be exploited through multiple attack vectors. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under initial access and execution techniques, where attackers leverage these vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within the compromised environment.