CVE-2002-1197 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
bugzilla_email_append.pl in Bugzilla 2.14.x before 2.14.4, and 2.16.x before 2.16.1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in a system call to processmail.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1197 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Bugzilla bug tracking system that affected versions 2.14.x prior to 2.14.4 and 2.16.x prior to 2.16.1. This vulnerability resides in the bugzilla_email_append.pl script which is responsible for processing email messages and appending them to bug reports within the system. The flaw occurs when the script executes system calls without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that are then interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the email processing pipeline. When the bugzilla_email_append.pl script receives email data, it constructs system commands by directly incorporating email headers or content without proper escaping or filtering of special shell characters such as semicolons, ampersands, backticks, or pipes. This primitive input handling approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct path for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability maps to CWE-78 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a classic example of command injection vulnerability that has been consistently flagged in security assessments and penetration testing exercises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Bugzilla installations. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the Bugzilla system with the privileges of the web server process. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can submit email to the Bugzilla system. This vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including automated email submissions, social engineering campaigns targeting email input fields, or by leveraging legitimate email processing functionality that might be exposed to external users.
Organizations with affected Bugzilla installations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to versions 2.14.4 or 2.16.1 respectively, which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the email processing pipeline, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being used in system calls. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to email processing endpoints and monitor for unusual email processing activity. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices that prevent the execution of untrusted code through system interfaces. Organizations should also conduct thorough security reviews of their email processing systems and implement proper least privilege principles for web server processes to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities.