CVE-2002-1110 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Mantis 0.17.2 and earlier, when running without magic_quotes_gpc enabled, allows remote attackers to gain privileges or perform unauthorized database operations via modified form fields, e.g. to account_update.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1110 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Mantis version 0.17.2 and earlier installations. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the web application operates without the magic_quotes_gpc directive enabled, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input fields. The affected component account_update.php serves as a primary attack vector where malicious users can inject SQL commands by modifying form fields, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through improper input validation and sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input from web forms bypasses proper sanitization measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into database queries. Without magic_quotes_gpc enabled, the application fails to automatically escape special characters in submitted data, creating a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks. Attackers can manipulate form fields in account_update.php to inject SQL payloads that may result in unauthorized database access, data extraction, modification, or deletion. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1071.005 which describes application layer protocol manipulation and T1213.002 which covers data from information repositories. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameterization in database queries, which violates fundamental security principles for preventing injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1110 extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise and unauthorized privilege escalation. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative access to the Mantis issue tracking system, potentially allowing them to modify user accounts, escalate privileges, or extract sensitive information from the underlying database. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by enabling unauthorized database operations that can result in data corruption or complete system takeover. Organizations running affected versions of Mantis face significant risk as attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring any prior authentication or system access. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that account management functions are frequently accessed and the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1110 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of Mantis that properly handles SQL injection vulnerabilities and implements proper input validation. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is enabled or implement proper parameterized queries and input sanitization techniques to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper database access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database operations. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.