CVE-2010-2802 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MantisBT before 1.2.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an HTML document with a .gif filename extension, related to inline attachments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2802 represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw within the MantisBT bug tracking system prior to version 1.2.2. This issue specifically affects authenticated users who can upload files as inline attachments, creating a dangerous attack vector that could compromise user sessions and enable malicious code execution across the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file upload processing logic, particularly when handling files with .gif extensions that may contain malicious content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file upload procedures where attackers can craft HTML documents with .gif filename extensions that actually contain malicious script code. This technique leverages the fact that the application does not properly validate file content against its declared extension, allowing HTML content to be embedded within what appears to be a benign image file. When other users view these inline attachments, the embedded scripts execute within their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victims. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the MantisBT environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially compromising sensitive bug reports, system configurations, and user data. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once inside the system, they can persistently exploit this weakness to maintain access and expand their attack surface. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on MantisBT for project management and bug tracking, where the exposure of sensitive development information could have severe consequences for software security and intellectual property.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to MantisBT version 1.2.2 or later, where proper input validation has been implemented to prevent file content from being executed as scripts regardless of filename extension. Network security controls should include strict file type validation at the application level, ensuring that only properly validated binary image files are accepted as attachments. Additionally, implementing content security policies and proper sanitization of all user-generated content can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering and malicious file delivery methods, emphasizing the importance of user education and proper file handling procedures. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack.