CVE-2008-3333 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in core/lang_api.php in Mantis before 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary files via the language parameter to the user preferences page (account_prefs_update.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3333 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Mantis bug tracking system version 1.1.1 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the core/lang_api.php file and specifically affects the user preferences page functionality through the account_prefs_update.php endpoint. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the language parameter, which allows malicious actors to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request to the account_prefs_update.php page with a specially formatted language parameter. This parameter is processed without proper validation, enabling attackers to traverse the file system and include arbitrary files from the server. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal attack, which maps directly to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. This weakness allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system information, configuration files, or even remote code execution depending on the server configuration and file permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially compromising the entire bug tracking infrastructure. The vulnerability enables attackers to include and execute arbitrary files, which could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing with Malicious Attachments, as attackers could exploit this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through the application interface. Additionally, it aligns with T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, when attackers attempt to execute commands through the compromised system.
The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations using affected versions of Mantis. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on Mantis for bug tracking and project management face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive project data, user information, and system resources. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through the compromised application, potentially leading to long-term network infiltration. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation practices that are fundamental to secure software development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3333 involve immediate patching of the Mantis application to version 1.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. The security community recommends implementing a whitelist approach for language parameter values and ensuring proper file access controls. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application code. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions while maintaining the application's functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks.