CVE-2002-0810 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.14 before 2.14.2, and 2.16 before 2.16rc2, directs error messages from the syncshadowdb command to the HTML output, which could leak sensitive information, including plaintext passwords, if syncshadowdb fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0810 affects Bugzilla versions prior to 2.14.2 and 2.16rc2, specifically within the syncshadowdb command functionality. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where error handling mechanisms fail to properly sanitize output streams, creating potential exposure of sensitive system data. The flaw manifests when the syncshadowdb command encounters failures during its execution process, resulting in error messages that are directly rendered to HTML output rather than being properly logged or suppressed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error message handling within the Bugzilla application's command execution framework. When the syncshadowdb command fails to synchronize user account information between different database systems, the system's error reporting mechanism does not adequately filter or sanitize the error output before presenting it to the web interface. This design flaw allows error messages containing plaintext credentials and other sensitive information to be exposed to unauthorized users who may access the application's web interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the synchronization process between shadow password databases and Bugzilla's internal user management systems, where authentication data may be inadvertently included in error messages.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations using affected Bugzilla versions, particularly those managing user authentication data through integrated shadow password systems. The exposure of plaintext passwords through error messages creates immediate credential compromise risks, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and system resources. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by triggering the syncshadowdb command to fail intentionally or by exploiting other conditions that cause the command to malfunction, thereby accessing sensitive information that should remain protected within system logs rather than being displayed in web browser interfaces.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper error handling that leads to information disclosure, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to access sensitive information. Organizations implementing Bugzilla for issue tracking and user management should consider the implications of this vulnerability within their broader security posture, particularly regarding access control and credential management practices. The flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture, where the separation of concerns between error reporting and user-facing output is insufficient to prevent sensitive data exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0810 require immediate patching of affected Bugzilla installations to versions 2.14.2 or 2.16rc2, which contain the necessary fixes for proper error message handling. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all system components properly sanitize error output before presenting it to end users. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications within their environment that may exhibit similar error handling flaws, particularly those involving database synchronization or authentication processes. The remediation process must include verification that error messages are properly filtered and that sensitive information is not exposed through web interface output, establishing proper separation between internal system logging and user-facing error reporting mechanisms.