CVE-2007-4538 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
email_in.pl in Bugzilla 2.23.4 through 3.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the -f (From address) option to the Email::Send::Sendmail function, probably involving shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4538 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Bugzilla bug tracking system that affects versions 2.23.4 through 3.0.0. This issue resides in the email_in.pl component which processes incoming emails for bug reporting functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the From address parameter when invoking the Email::Send::Sendmail function. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious email addresses containing shell metacharacters that get interpreted during the email sending process, thereby enabling arbitrary command execution on the vulnerable system.
The technical exploitation occurs through the manipulation of the -f option in the Email::Send::Sendmail function where user-controlled input from the From address field is directly passed to the underlying sendmail command without proper sanitization. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attackers can insert shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks that are interpreted by the shell during command execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because Bugzilla's email processing functionality typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands with the same permissions as the web server or Bugzilla service account.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations using affected Bugzilla versions as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the bug tracking system and any associated data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access or information gathering. Organizations relying on Bugzilla for critical development workflows face significant risk if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Security mitigations for CVE-2007-4538 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bugzilla versions to the latest stable releases that contain proper input validation. Organizations should implement strict input sanitization measures for all email address fields and consider using parameterized email sending functions that do not directly invoke shell commands with user input. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Bugzilla systems to untrusted email sources. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious email patterns and implementing email filtering mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving command and script injection. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that email functionality remains operational while addressing the security concerns. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their software stack that might exhibit similar patterns of insecure input handling.