CVE-2008-4688 in Mantis
Summary
by MITRE
core/string_api.php in Mantis before 1.1.3 does not check the privileges of the viewer before composing a link with issue data in the source anchor, which allows remote attackers to discover an issue s title and status via a request with a modified issue number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4688 affects MantisBT versions prior to 1.1.3, specifically within the core/string_api.php file where insufficient privilege validation occurs during link composition for issue data. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that enables unauthorized users to glean sensitive information about project issues without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to verify user permissions before generating hyperlinks that contain issue metadata, including title and status information. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating issue numbers in requests to access data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the string_api.php file where the application constructs source anchor links containing issue details. When a user requests an issue page with a modified issue number, the system generates a link that includes the issue title and status information in the anchor text. This behavior occurs regardless of whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to view that specific issue. The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and demonstrates how insufficient access control validation can lead to unauthorized data disclosure. The vulnerability operates at the application logic level where privilege checks are either missing or inadequately implemented, allowing attackers to perform reconnaissance and gather intelligence about project issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can inform subsequent attack vectors. An attacker who discovers an issue title and status can use this information to craft more targeted attacks, identify critical project components, or determine the overall health and complexity of the software development environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where MantisBT is used for issue tracking and project management, as it could expose sensitive information about ongoing development work, security vulnerabilities, or project timelines. This type of reconnaissance information can significantly aid threat actors in planning more sophisticated attacks against the organization's software development infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper privilege validation checks before generating any links that contain issue-specific data. The fix requires modifying the string_api.php file to verify user permissions against the requested issue before composing any links that include issue metadata. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive access control mechanisms that enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring users can only access data they are authorized to view. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar privilege validation gaps in other parts of the application. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, and emphasizes the importance of proper access controls in preventing unauthorized information disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing logging and monitoring for suspicious access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.