CVE-2005-1564 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
post_bug.cgi in Bugzilla 2.10 through 2.18, 2.19.1, and 2.19.2 allows remote authenticated users to "enter bugs into products that are closed for bug entry" by modifying the URL to specify the name of the product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1564 represents a critical access control flaw in Bugzilla versions 2.10 through 2.18 and 2.19.1 through 2.19.2, specifically within the post_bug.cgi script. This issue manifests as an authorization bypass that allows authenticated users to submit bug reports to products that have been explicitly closed to bug entry, effectively undermining the intended access control mechanisms of the bug tracking system. The flaw occurs when users manipulate the URL parameters to specify product names, circumventing the built-in restrictions that should prevent bug submissions to closed products.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and permission checking within the bug submission process. When users access the post_bug.cgi script, the application should verify that the specified product allows bug entry based on the product's configuration settings. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to modify URL parameters to reference any product name, regardless of whether that product has been closed to new bug submissions. This flaw directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how insufficient authorization checks can lead to privilege escalation within web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially compromise the entire bug tracking workflow. Attackers can flood closed products with irrelevant bug reports, cluttering the system and potentially masking legitimate issues. This can significantly impact the effectiveness of bug tracking processes, as developers and administrators may waste time investigating false reports or may be unable to properly prioritize genuine issues. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of product-specific bug statistics and reporting, as closed products may receive unexpected bug submissions that skew metrics and analysis.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and the abuse of access control mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to leverage their existing authenticated session to perform actions outside their intended scope, essentially enabling them to circumvent administrative controls. Organizations relying on Bugzilla for software development tracking and quality assurance face significant risks when this vulnerability exists, as it can be exploited to disrupt development workflows and potentially introduce security risks through the accumulation of malicious or irrelevant bug reports. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and access control checks at multiple levels within web applications to prevent unauthorized actions even when users possess valid authentication credentials.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected Bugzilla versions to the latest stable releases where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of bug submission activities, particularly for unusual patterns or submissions to closed products. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive testing for access control mechanisms and input validation, as these controls are fundamental to maintaining application security boundaries. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on authorization checks can help prevent similar issues in other web applications, emphasizing the principle of defense in depth for access control implementations.