CVE-2002-0804 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.14 before 2.14.2, and 2.16 before 2.16rc2, when configured to perform reverse DNS lookups, allows remote attackers to bypass IP restrictions by connecting from a system with a spoofed reverse DNS hostname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0804 affects Bugzilla versions prior to 2.14.2 and 2.16rc2, specifically when the application is configured to perform reverse DNS lookups. This represents a critical security flaw in access control mechanisms that relies on DNS hostname resolution for IP restriction enforcement. The issue stems from the application's trust in reverse DNS lookup results without proper validation of the DNS resolution process, creating an avenue for malicious actors to circumvent intended network security controls.
The technical flaw exploits the fundamental assumption that reverse DNS lookups provide reliable and authentic host identification. When Bugzilla performs reverse DNS lookups to verify client IP addresses, it accepts the resolved hostname as authoritative without implementing proper DNS validation checks. Attackers can manipulate this process by spoofing DNS records on their systems, presenting themselves as legitimate hosts within trusted network ranges. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication mechanisms, and CWE-611, concerning insecure direct object references, as the system incorrectly trusts DNS-based identifiers for access control decisions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to bypass IP-based access restrictions that are typically implemented to limit system access to trusted networks or specific IP ranges. An attacker can exploit this weakness by connecting from a system where they have control over DNS records, thereby appearing to originate from an authorized IP address. This creates a bypass of network-level security controls and could potentially allow unauthorized access to Bugzilla's administrative functions, issue tracking capabilities, and sensitive data stored within the system. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if administrative access is available through the application.
Organizations using affected Bugzilla versions should immediately upgrade to the patched releases 2.14.2 and 2.16rc2 to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling reverse DNS lookups in Bugzilla configuration when IP-based access controls are critical, implementing proper DNS validation mechanisms, and using alternative authentication methods such as SSL client certificates or strong authentication tokens. Security practitioners should also consider implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to Bugzilla services, and monitor for unusual DNS resolution patterns that might indicate spoofing attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.002, which covers legitimate credentials in the context of application access control bypass, and demonstrates the importance of validating all identity assertions within security systems.