CVE-2003-1045 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
votes.cgi in Bugzilla 2.16.3 and earlier, and 2.17.1 through 2.17.4, allows remote attackers to read a user s voting page when that user has voted on a restricted bug, which allows remote attackers to read potentially sensitive voting information by modifying the who parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1045 represents a critical access control flaw in Bugzilla version 2.16.3 and earlier, as well as versions 2.17.1 through 2.17.4. This issue manifests through the votes.cgi script which fails to properly validate user permissions when processing voting information requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the authorization mechanism that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information within the bug tracking system.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and access control implementation within the voting page functionality. When a user attempts to access another user's voting page through the who parameter, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user has permission to view the restricted bug information. This allows remote attackers to manipulate the who parameter to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to voting data associated with restricted bugs. The vulnerability operates at the application logic level, specifically within the permission checking routines that should enforce data confidentiality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive user data and voting patterns that may reveal confidential information about software development processes, security vulnerabilities, or business-critical projects. The flaw particularly affects organizations using Bugzilla for managing sensitive software development workflows where restricted bugs may contain information about security vulnerabilities, intellectual property, or business-critical system components. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gather intelligence about bug fixes, development timelines, and user behavior patterns, which could be leveraged for further attacks or competitive advantage.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can exploit legitimate access points through parameter manipulation. The issue demonstrates a classic privilege escalation pattern where a lack of proper input validation allows attackers to manipulate system parameters and access restricted resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to versions 2.17.5 and later, implementing proper input validation for the who parameter, and enforcing stricter access controls for voting page functionality. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual access patterns in voting data and implementing web application firewalls to detect parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications, particularly in systems handling sensitive development information.