CVE-2009-2125 in Elvinbts
Summary
by MITRE
delete_bug.php in Elvin before 1.2.1 does not require administrative privileges, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and delete arbitrary bugs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2125 affects Elvin bug tracking software versions prior to 1.2.1, specifically targeting the delete_bug.php component. This represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of the application by allowing unauthorized deletion of bug reports. The issue stems from insufficient access control validation within the delete functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's privilege model. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core of a bug tracking system where data integrity and access control are paramount for maintaining organizational security posture.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the delete_bug.php script which fails to validate whether the authenticated user possesses administrative privileges before executing deletion operations. This absence of proper authorization checks creates a direct privilege escalation vector where any authenticated user can perform destructive actions typically restricted to administrators. The vulnerability operates under CWE-285 which classifies it as an improper authorization issue, specifically manifesting as a failure to enforce access control mechanisms. From an operational perspective, this flaw enables attackers to manipulate the bug tracking database by removing critical bug reports, potentially hiding security issues or disrupting development workflows. The impact extends beyond simple data deletion as it compromises the integrity of the entire bug tracking system and can be leveraged to cover malicious activities within the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability can be severe for organizations relying on Elvin for their bug tracking and security management processes. Attackers with legitimate user accounts can exploit this weakness to delete sensitive bug reports, potentially removing evidence of security vulnerabilities or compromising the audit trail of the development process. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential access through exploitation of vulnerabilities, and T1485 which covers data destruction through unauthorized access. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not need physical access to the system, and the authenticated access requirement significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation since most organizations have legitimate user accounts that could be compromised through various means. Organizations may experience disruption to their development cycles, loss of valuable security intelligence, and potential compliance violations due to data integrity issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2125 should focus on immediate patching of the Elvin software to version 1.2.1 or later where the authorization flaw has been addressed. System administrators should implement proper access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges within the bug tracking system. The implementation of role-based access controls should be enforced to restrict deletion operations to privileged users only, preventing unauthorized modifications to bug reports. Additional security measures include logging all deletion activities for audit purposes, implementing monitoring for suspicious deletion patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar authorization flaws. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions and implement multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to critical system functions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and authorization checks in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive security data and development artifacts.