CVE-2001-1406 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
process_bug.cgi in Bugzilla before 2.14 does not set the "groupset" bit when a bug is moved between product groups, which will cause the bug to have the old group s restrictions, which might not be as stringent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1406 affects the Bugzilla bug tracking system version 2.13 and earlier, specifically within the process_bug.cgi script responsible for handling bug management operations. This flaw represents a critical access control bypass that stems from improper handling of group permissions during bug reassignment processes. The vulnerability occurs when a bug is moved between different product groups within the Bugzilla system, creating a scenario where the system fails to properly update the group membership flags associated with that bug report.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly set the "groupset" bit during bug movement operations. This bit serves as a critical indicator within Bugzilla's permission system that signals when a bug's group membership has been modified and requires updated access controls. When this bit remains unset, the system continues to reference the original group's permission restrictions rather than applying the new group's security parameters. This creates a situation where users who should not have access to certain bug information can potentially view or interact with bugs that have been reassigned to more restrictive groups.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass to potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized users. In environments where Bugzilla is used to track security vulnerabilities, software defects, or confidential issues, this flaw could allow malicious actors or unauthorized personnel to gain access to bugs that should be restricted to specific user groups. The vulnerability essentially undermines the permission model that Bugzilla implements to ensure that sensitive information remains within appropriate boundaries based on product group membership.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how insufficient privilege management can create security holes in access control systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a privilege escalation technique where an attacker can leverage a system flaw to access restricted resources without proper authorization. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-377, which deals with insecure temporary files, though in this case the insecurity manifests in the persistence of group membership flags rather than temporary file handling.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2001-1406 requires immediate upgrade to Bugzilla version 2.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly handle group membership updates during bug reassignment. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control reviews to identify any existing bugs that may have been affected by this vulnerability, particularly those moved between groups during the vulnerable period. Security administrators should verify that group membership flags are properly updated and that access controls are correctly enforced after any bug reassignment operations. Additionally, implementing regular security audits of permission systems and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability assessments can help prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the Bugzilla system or related applications.