CVE-2009-3165 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Bug.create WebService function in Bugzilla 2.23.4 through 3.0.8, 3.1.1 through 3.2.4, and 3.3.1 through 3.4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
The CVE-2009-3165 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Bug.create WebService function of Bugzilla versions spanning multiple release branches from 2.23.4 through 3.0.8, 3.1.1 through 3.2.4, and 3.3.1 through 3.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the web service interface that allows remote attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters. The flaw specifically affects the Bug.create function which serves as an endpoint for creating bug reports within the Bugzilla issue tracking system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the web service layer, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution pipeline. This represents a classic sql injection attack vector where user-supplied data is directly concatenated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of unspecified parameters within the Bug.create WebService function, which then get processed by the backend database layer. Attackers can craft malicious input that alters the intended sql query structure, potentially enabling them to execute unauthorized database operations such as data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even database schema manipulation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can provide attackers with complete database access, allowing for privilege escalation and potential lateral movement within the affected system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The weakness exists because the application fails to properly validate and sanitize all input parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating an attack surface where malicious sql code can be executed with the privileges of the database user account.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3165 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on Bugzilla for issue tracking and project management. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive project information, user credentials, bug reports, and system metadata. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and potential system downtime as a result of this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Bugzilla, indicating a prolonged period where the flaw existed without proper mitigation, leaving many installations exposed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate large volumes of data. The impact is particularly concerning given that Bugzilla is widely used in software development environments, making it a valuable target for threat actors seeking to compromise development infrastructure and access proprietary code or sensitive project information.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Bugzilla versions that have patched this sql injection flaw, specifically versions beyond the affected release ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries at the application level to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security maintenance in preventing widespread exploitation of known vulnerabilities.