CVE-2009-0481 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.x before 2.22.7, 3.0 before 3.0.7, 3.2 before 3.2.1, and 3.3 before 3.3.2 allows remote authenticated users to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) and related attacks by uploading HTML and JavaScript attachments that are rendered by web browsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0481 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Bugzilla bug tracking system that affected multiple versions including 2.x before 2.22.7, 3.0 before 3.0.7, 3.2 before 3.2.1, and 3.3 before 3.3.2. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the attachment handling functionality of the software. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, making it a direct descendant of well-known web application security weaknesses that have plagued software systems for decades. The core technical issue lies in the failure of the Bugzilla application to properly sanitize user-supplied content when processing file attachments, particularly those containing html and javascript code that could be executed within the browser context of other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute malicious code in the browsers of other Bugzilla users. When authenticated users upload attachments containing malicious javascript or html content, these files are subsequently rendered by web browsers when other users view the bug reports, creating a persistent vector for attack. The vulnerability specifically targets the attachment rendering functionality, which is a legitimate feature designed to allow users to share files related to bug reports. However, this legitimate functionality becomes a security risk when the system fails to validate and sanitize the content of uploaded files, particularly those that could contain executable code. Attackers could exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of victims, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or browser-based malware delivery.
The security implications of CVE-2009-0481 align with several tactics described in the attack framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation through web-based attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage their authenticated access to Bugzilla to craft malicious attachments that can compromise other users within the same system. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation where an authenticated user can use their legitimate access to perform unauthorized actions against other users. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it operates through normal system functionality rather than requiring exploitation of other vulnerabilities, making it harder to detect and prevent. The flaw also demonstrates the importance of input validation at multiple layers within web applications, as the vulnerability exists at the point where user-supplied content is processed and rendered, rather than at an authentication or authorization level.
Organizations using affected versions of Bugzilla should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory content sanitization for all uploaded attachments, implementation of strict file type restrictions, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include input validation and sanitization reviews. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual attachment upload patterns that might indicate malicious activity. The fix for this vulnerability typically involves implementing proper content sanitization libraries and ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web browsers. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for continuous security assessment of web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.