CVE-2003-1044 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
editproducts.cgi in Bugzilla 2.16.3 and earlier, when usebuggroups is enabled, does not properly remove group add privileges from a group that is being deleted, which allows users with those privileges to perform unauthorized additions to the next group that is assigned with the original group ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1044 represents a critical access control flaw within the Bugzilla bug tracking system version 2.16.3 and earlier. This issue specifically affects systems where the usebuggroups configuration option is enabled, which is a fundamental feature allowing administrators to organize bugs into logical groups for better management and access control. The flaw manifests in the editproducts.cgi script, which serves as a core component for managing product configurations and group assignments within the Bugzilla environment. When a group is deleted from the system, the application fails to properly revoke the group add privileges that were previously granted to users, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege management during the group deletion process. When administrators remove a group from Bugzilla, the system should automatically revoke all associated permissions and privileges that were granted to users within that group. However, the flawed implementation leaves behind the group add privileges, which remain active even after the group itself has been removed from the database. This creates a scenario where the next group that is created with the same numerical ID as the deleted group inherits these residual privileges, allowing unauthorized users to perform additions to what should be a completely separate group. The underlying issue is a failure in the privilege cleanup mechanism that should ensure complete removal of access rights when groups are deleted, representing a classic case of privilege escalation through improper resource management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Bugzilla for their bug tracking and software development processes. Attackers who can identify and exploit this flaw can gain unauthorized access to sensitive development data, potentially allowing them to add malicious bugs to products, manipulate existing bug reports, or create false entries that could disrupt development workflows. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to information disclosure, data integrity compromise, and potential system availability issues. The security implications extend beyond simple access control, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire bug tracking environment and potentially affect the broader software development lifecycle. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Bugzilla is used to track security-sensitive applications and critical system components.
Organizations affected by CVE-2003-1044 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Bugzilla versions 2.16.4 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper privilege cleanup during group deletion operations. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough audits of their current group assignments and privilege configurations to identify any potential exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unauthorized group creation and privilege changes, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by the Bugzilla development team involved ensuring that when groups are deleted, all associated privileges and permissions are properly cleared from the system, preventing the inheritance of stale privileges by subsequently created groups with matching identifiers.