CVE-2003-0154 in Bonsai
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities (XSS) in bonsai Mozilla CVS query tool allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via (1) the file, root, or rev parameters to cvslog.cgi, (2) the file or root parameters to cvsblame.cgi, (3) various parameters to cvsquery.cgi, (4) the person parameter to showcheckins.cgi, (5) the module parameter to cvsqueryform.cgi, and (6) possibly other attack vectors as identified by Mozilla bug #146244.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0154 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the bonsai Mozilla CVS query tool, a web-based interface for browsing and querying CVS repositories. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting attacks where web applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The affected system components include multiple CGI scripts that process user-supplied parameters without adequate input sanitization, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the bonsai tool processes parameters such as file, root, rev, person, and module through various CGI scripts including cvslog.cgi, cvsblame.cgi, cvsquery.cgi, showcheckins.cgi, and cvsqueryform.cgi. When these parameters contain malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before rendering it in web responses, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple entry points within the same application, suggesting a systemic lack of input validation across the entire tool suite. The Mozilla bug reference #146244 indicates this was recognized as part of a broader pattern of similar vulnerabilities within the Mozilla ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute persistent attacks against other users within the same organization. An attacker could craft malicious URLs containing script code that would execute when other users click on links within the CVS browsing interface, potentially compromising entire development teams who rely on the tool for source code management. The attack surface is significantly broadened by the fact that the vulnerability exists across multiple CGI scripts, meaning that even if one vector is patched, others remain exploitable. This creates a persistent risk for organizations using the bonsai tool for CVS repository browsing, particularly in environments where multiple developers interact with the same repository.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all affected CGI scripts. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by Mozilla or implement proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied parameters before rendering them in web responses. The solution must address the root cause by ensuring that any user input is properly sanitized through techniques such as input validation, output encoding, and the use of secure coding practices that align with OWASP recommendations. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall or content security policy can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws in other applications, as this represents a classic example of how insufficient input sanitization can create widespread exploitation opportunities across multiple application components.