CVE-2009-3166 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
token.cgi in Bugzilla 3.4rc1 through 3.4.1 places a password in a URL at the beginning of a login session that occurs immediately after a password reset, which allows context-dependent attackers to discover passwords by reading (1) web-server access logs, (2) web-server Referer logs, or (3) the browser history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3166 represents a critical security flaw in Bugzilla versions 3.4rc1 through 3.4.1 that exposes user passwords through improper handling of authentication tokens within URL parameters. This issue stems from the token.cgi script's behavior during the post-password reset login process, where sensitive authentication information is inadvertently embedded in the URL structure rather than being handled through secure server-side mechanisms. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential management and session handling, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by context-dependent adversaries who have access to various log sources or browser history records.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a user resets their password and is immediately redirected to a login page where the password is encoded as a parameter within the URL itself. This design flaw creates a persistent exposure of authentication credentials in multiple locations including web server access logs, referer headers that are transmitted during web navigation, and browser history records. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and more specifically aligns with CWE-540 "Inclusion of Sensitive Information in Log Files" and CWE-598 "Use of GET Request Method with Sensitive Query Parameters." The flaw essentially transforms a secure authentication process into a mechanism that inadvertently broadcasts sensitive credentials to any system that processes or logs these URLs.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3166 is significant as it provides attackers with multiple vectors for password discovery without requiring complex exploitation techniques. Adversaries can obtain compromised credentials through simple log file analysis or browser history examination, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or when administrators maintain long-term log retention policies. The attack surface extends beyond direct network monitoring to include any system that might log or store URL references, including proxy servers, load balancers, and web application firewalls that process referer headers. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 "Phishing with Social Engineering" and T1078.004 "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" since it enables credential theft that can be used for unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially broader system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of Bugzilla installations to versions that properly handle authentication tokens without embedding them in URLs. Organizations should implement URL parameter validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent sensitive information from being transmitted through URL structures. Web server configurations should be reviewed to ensure that sensitive information is not logged in access logs or referer headers, and administrators should consider implementing URL rewriting rules that strip authentication parameters from URLs. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough log review processes to identify and remediate any instances where passwords may have been exposed through this vulnerability. The implementation of secure session management practices, including the use of secure HTTP-only cookies and proper session token handling, should be enforced to prevent similar issues in other applications and systems.