CVE-2005-1565 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.17.1 through 2.18, 2.19.1, and 2.19.2, when a user is prompted to log in while attempting to view a chart, displays the password in the URL, which may allow local users to gain sensitive information from web logs or browser history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1565 affects Bugzilla versions 2.17.1 through 2.18 and 2.19.1 through 2.19.2, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that arises from improper handling of authentication credentials within web application URLs. This issue manifests when users attempt to access restricted chart functionality and are redirected to a login prompt, where the system inadvertently includes the password in the URL parameters rather than securely managing it through proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental flaw in how the application constructs and processes URL redirects during authentication flows, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate authentication context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices and information hiding principles. When a user navigates to a protected chart page without proper authentication, the Bugzilla application redirects them to a login form while embedding the password in the URL query string. This occurs because the system fails to properly separate authentication credentials from URL parameters, violating the principle that sensitive information should never be transmitted through URL components where it can be easily captured and stored. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the authentication and session management components, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with improper credential handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1565 extends beyond simple information disclosure to create significant risks for organizations relying on Bugzilla for issue tracking and management. Local users with access to web server logs, browser history, or network monitoring tools can easily extract passwords from URL parameters, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive system information. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through phishing or credential dumping. The exposure of passwords in URLs creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as the credentials remain accessible in multiple locations where URLs are logged or cached.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Bugzilla versions that address the URL parameter handling issue, implementing proper URL sanitization to prevent credential inclusion in redirects, and configuring web server logging to exclude URL parameters from log entries. Security teams should also review existing web application firewall rules to detect and block URL patterns containing password parameters, and conduct thorough audits of authentication flows to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to verify that authentication redirects no longer expose credentials, while also implementing monitoring for any suspicious URL patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of similar flaws. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of sharing URLs containing authentication parameters and establish proper incident response procedures for handling potential credential exposure events.