CVE-2002-0805 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.14 before 2.14.2, and 2.16 before 2.16rc2, (1) creates new directories with world-writable permissions, and (2) creates the params file with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to modify the files and execute code.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0805 affects Bugzilla versions prior to 2.14.2 and 2.16rc2, presenting a critical security flaw that stems from improper file system permission handling during application initialization. This issue manifests through two distinct but related security weaknesses that together create a pathway for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the system-level file permissions domain, where the application fails to properly secure critical configuration and directory structures during installation or runtime operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the creation of new directories and configuration files with world-writable permissions, specifically the params file which contains critical application parameters. When Bugzilla creates these directories and files without proper permission restrictions, it inadvertently grants all local users the ability to modify these critical system components. This permission flaw directly violates security best practices and creates an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious local users to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary code on the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe risk to systems running affected Bugzilla versions as it allows any local user to potentially escalate their privileges and compromise the entire system. The impact extends beyond simple file modification since the params file contains sensitive configuration data that could be leveraged to manipulate application behavior, access restricted resources, or establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permission assignment, and represents a classic example of insecure default permissions that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows a predictable pattern where local attackers first identify the world-writable directories and files created by Bugzilla, then modify these components to inject malicious code or alter configuration parameters. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through insecure permissions, specifically mapping to techniques involving file permission modification and system binary modification. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized code execution and potential system compromise, making immediate remediation essential.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to versions 2.14.2 and 2.16rc2 or later, which address the improper permission handling in Bugzilla's installation and runtime processes. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing Bugzilla installations to identify and correct any directories or files that may have been created with insecure permissions. Additional security measures include implementing proper file system monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications and ensuring that all system components maintain appropriate access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper permission management in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive configuration data and user information.