CVE-2001-1407 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla before 2.14 allows Bugzilla users to bypass group security checks by marking a bug as the duplicate of a restricted bug, which adds the user to the CC list of the restricted bug and allows the user to view the bug.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1407 represents a critical access control flaw in Bugzilla version 2.14 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in group-based security mechanisms. This issue arises from improper validation of user permissions when handling duplicate bug reports, creating an unintended pathway for privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically targets the cross-communication functionality between bugs, where users can manipulate the system to gain access to restricted information through legitimate system operations. This type of flaw falls under the category of inadequate access control as defined by CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the relationship between bug reporting and user notification systems within Bugzilla. When a user marks a bug as a duplicate of a restricted bug, the system automatically adds the user to the CC (carbon copy) list of the restricted bug. This automatic inclusion bypasses the normal permission checking procedures that should prevent unauthorized access to restricted bug reports. The flaw occurs because the system does not properly validate whether the user attempting to mark a bug as duplicate has the necessary permissions to access the target restricted bug. This represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking, where the system's trust in the legitimate operation of marking duplicates overrides proper security validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Bugzilla's group-based access controls. An attacker with basic user privileges can effectively escalate their access level by leveraging the duplicate marking feature to gain visibility into restricted bug reports. This creates a vector for potential data exfiltration, as users can access sensitive information that should only be visible to authorized group members. The vulnerability also has implications for audit trails and security logging, as the system fails to properly track or flag unauthorized access attempts that occur through legitimate system operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Bugzilla is used for managing security-sensitive software development issues.
Organizations using Bugzilla versions prior to 2.14 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 2.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict monitoring of duplicate marking operations and establishing clear audit procedures to detect unauthorized access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing, particularly around cross-system operations that involve user notifications and access control validation. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under initial access and persistence mechanisms, as it allows attackers to gain elevated access through legitimate system features. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and enhanced logging of user operations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other systems.