CVE-2008-3331 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in return_dynamic_filters.php in Mantis before 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filter_target parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3331 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Mantis bug tracking system version 1.1.1 and earlier. This issue resides in the return_dynamic_filters.php component which handles dynamic filter operations within the application's user interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the filter_target parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with affected pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web content. When the filter_target parameter is processed, it directly influences the generation of HTML content without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft payloads that steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content that persists within the application's interface. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the filtered views of the Mantis system, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users access shared bug tracking interfaces. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require any local access to the system, making it accessible to attackers from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3331 should focus on immediate remediation through the application of the official patch released by the Mantis development team for version 1.1.2. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent user-supplied data from being executed as code. The solution involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing techniques related to web application exploitation and credential access. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter values that might indicate attempted exploitation of similar XSS vulnerabilities.