CVE-2003-0012 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
The data collection script for Bugzilla 2.14.x before 2.14.5, 2.16.x before 2.16.2, and 2.17.x before 2.17.3 sets world-writable permissions for the data/mining directory when it runs, which allows local users to modify or delete the data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0012 represents a critical permission misconfiguration issue within the Bugzilla bug tracking system across multiple version ranges. This flaw affects Bugzilla versions 2.14.x prior to 2.14.5, 2.16.x prior to 2.16.2, and 2.17.x prior to 2.17.3, where the data collection script fails to properly secure the data/mining directory. The root cause lies in the script's improper handling of file system permissions during execution, creating a security risk that directly violates fundamental principles of least privilege and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the data collection script's failure to set appropriate permissions for the data/mining directory. When the script executes, it creates or modifies directory permissions to allow world-writable access, meaning any local user on the system can write to, modify, or delete files within this directory. This represents a classic case of insecure default permissions and improper privilege management, which aligns with CWE-732 - Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource. The flaw operates at the file system level and demonstrates how script-based applications can inadvertently create security holes through careless permission handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential system compromise and data manipulation capabilities. Local users who can execute the data collection script gain the ability to modify or delete critical data files, potentially leading to data corruption, information leakage, or complete data loss within the Bugzilla installation. Attackers could exploit this weakness to alter bug reports, manipulate statistical data, or even inject malicious content into the mining directory, which could then be processed by other components of the system. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where untrusted users have access to the Bugzilla installation, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on proper access controls.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK techniques including T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as local users can leverage their existing access to exploit the insecure permissions. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized modifications to the data/mining directory and ensure proper file system permissions are enforced through system hardening practices. The recommended mitigation involves applying the vendor patches released for versions 2.14.5, 2.16.2, and 2.17.3, which properly handle directory permissions during script execution. System administrators should also conduct thorough permission audits of the Bugzilla installation to ensure no other directories have similar insecure configurations, while implementing proper access controls that restrict write permissions to only authorized system processes and users.