CVE-2004-1635 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.17.1 through 2.18rc2 and 2.19 from cvs, when using the insidergroup feature, does not sufficiently protect private attachments when there are changes to the metadata, such as filename, description, MIME type, or review flags, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information when (1) viewing the bug activity log or (2) receiving bug change notification mails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1635 affects Bugzilla versions 2.17.1 through 2.18rc2 and 2.19 from cvs, specifically when the insidergroup feature is enabled. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect private attachments within the bug tracking system. The issue stems from insufficient access controls during metadata modifications, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass intended security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within the legitimate administrative and user workflows, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The technical flaw manifests when users with appropriate privileges modify metadata associated with private attachments, including filename changes, description updates, MIME type alterations, or review flag modifications. During these operations, the system fails to properly validate access permissions for the modified metadata elements, allowing unauthorized users to access information that should remain restricted. This occurs because the access control checks are not consistently enforced across all metadata modification scenarios, creating a gap in the security model that attackers can exploit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which deals with insufficient access control mechanisms, specifically in the context of improper access control during metadata operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises the integrity of the bug tracking system's confidentiality controls. When users view bug activity logs or receive change notification emails, they can potentially access private attachment metadata that was intended to remain confidential. This exposure can lead to significant information leakage, particularly in environments where bug reports contain sensitive data such as system vulnerabilities, proprietary code details, or confidential business information. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system, as a compromised low-privilege account could potentially escalate to access restricted information.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1005, which focuses on data from local system repositories, and T1074, which addresses data staging through temporary files or logs. The flaw enables adversaries to extract sensitive information from system logs and notification mechanisms where private metadata might be inadvertently exposed during normal system operations. Organizations relying on Bugzilla for security vulnerability management or internal issue tracking face significant risk, as this vulnerability could expose sensitive information about system weaknesses, security patches, or internal processes. The impact is particularly severe in regulated environments where information disclosure could violate compliance requirements and expose organizations to legal and financial consequences.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Bugzilla versions, implementing additional access controls for metadata modifications, and monitoring system logs for unusual activity patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to Bugzilla systems, enforcing strict authentication requirements, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive access control testing, particularly for features that modify system metadata, and underscores the need for regular security assessments of third-party applications to prevent similar issues in the future.