CVE-2005-2173 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
The Flag::validate and Flag::modify functions in Bugzilla 2.17.1 to 2.18.1 and 2.19.1 to 2.19.3 do not verify that the flag ID is appropriate for the given bug or attachment ID, which allows users to change flags on arbitrary bugs and obtain a bug summary via process_bug.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2173 represents a critical access control flaw within the Bugzilla bug tracking system affecting versions 2.17.1 through 2.18.1 and 2.19.1 through 2.19.3. This issue stems from insufficient input validation in the flag management functionality, specifically within the Flag::validate and Flag::modify functions that handle flag operations on bugs and attachments. The flaw enables unauthorized users to manipulate flag assignments across different bugs and attachments without proper authorization checks, creating a significant security risk in software development environments that rely on Bugzilla for issue tracking.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application logic level where the Flag::validate and Flag::modify functions fail to perform proper validation of flag ID associations with specific bug or attachment identifiers. When users submit flag modification requests through the process_bug.cgi interface, the system does not verify whether the flag being applied is appropriate for the target bug or attachment. This lack of validation creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access, as attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate flag assignments on bugs they should not have access to.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple flag manipulation to include potential information disclosure and system integrity compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain bug summaries and other sensitive information through the process_bug.cgi endpoint, which may contain confidential details about software vulnerabilities, security issues, or development plans. The vulnerability effectively undermines the access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized users from viewing or modifying bug records, potentially exposing sensitive project information to unauthorized parties. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks in web applications.
The security implications of CVE-2005-2173 can be analyzed through the lens of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability enables attackers to move laterally within the Bugzilla system by exploiting the lack of proper validation controls. This weakness could facilitate further exploitation attempts, as unauthorized users gain the ability to manipulate bug flag assignments and potentially access sensitive data through the process_bug.cgi interface. Organizations using affected Bugzilla versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to development information, which could lead to intellectual property exposure or targeted attacks against specific software components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Bugzilla versions to the latest stable releases that contain proper flag validation logic. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of flag modification activities to detect unauthorized access attempts. The fix should ensure that all flag operations validate the relationship between flag IDs and target bug or attachment identifiers before processing any modifications. Organizations should consider implementing role-based access controls and regular security audits to prevent similar issues in other applications. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive development data and bug tracking information.