CVE-2004-1634 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
show_bug.cgi in Bugzilla 2.17.1 through 2.18rc2 and 2.19 from CVS, when using the insidergroup feature and exporting a bug to XML, shows comments and attachment summaries which are marked as private, which allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1634 affects Bugzilla versions 2.17.1 through 2.18rc2 and 2.19 from CVS, specifically when the insidergroup feature is enabled and bugs are exported to XML format. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect sensitive data within the bug tracking system. The vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation during XML export operations, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to access private comments and attachment summaries that should remain restricted to authorized users only. The flaw exists in the show_bug.cgi script which handles bug display and export functionality, making it a direct target for attackers seeking to extract confidential information from the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insidergroup feature which is designed to provide limited access to specific groups of users within Bugzilla. When this feature is active and a user exports a bug report to XML format, the system fails to properly filter out private data elements including comments and attachment summaries that are marked as restricted. This occurs because the XML export functionality does not adequately validate user permissions against the private data elements before including them in the output. The flaw demonstrates a classic access control bypass issue where the system's authorization mechanisms are not properly enforced during data export operations, creating a pathway for information leakage that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that may include proprietary code details, security vulnerabilities, internal system configurations, or other confidential data that would normally be restricted to specific user groups. This information disclosure can lead to various downstream security consequences including potential exploitation of additional vulnerabilities, competitive intelligence gathering, or targeted attacks against the organization's systems. The vulnerability affects organizations using Bugzilla for security tracking and development management, where the exposure of private bug comments and attachment summaries could compromise ongoing security research, development processes, or internal threat assessments. The remote nature of the attack means that any user with access to the Bugzilla instance can potentially exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access or elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Bugzilla installations to versions that address the access control flaw in the XML export functionality. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Bugzilla instances to unauthorized users. The system should be configured with proper user role management and access control policies that ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive data elements. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts and data export operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Bypass and ATT&CK technique T1005 Data from Local System, highlighting the importance of proper access control implementation and the potential for information disclosure through export functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing data loss prevention measures and regular security audits to identify similar access control gaps in their systems.