CVE-2010-3763 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in core/summary_api.php in MantisBT before 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Summary field, a different vector than CVE-2010-3303.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3763 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the MantisBT bug tracking system version 1.2.2 and earlier. This issue resides in the core/summary_api.php file and specifically affects the handling of user input in the Summary field of bug reports. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft. Unlike CVE-2010-3303 which addressed a similar issue in a different code path, this vulnerability operates through a distinct vector within the application's input processing mechanism.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding within the summary_api.php component. When users enter data into the Summary field of bug reports, the application fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browser context of other users who view the affected bug reports. The vulnerability manifests when the application renders user-supplied content without proper context-aware encoding, creating an opening for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3763 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized individuals to gain access to privileged user sessions or manipulate the application's functionality. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates through the public-facing Summary field, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the bug tracking system. The vulnerability affects all users who view affected bug reports, creating a broad potential attack surface.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to MantisBT version 1.2.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that escape special characters before storing or displaying user-provided content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of insufficient output encoding in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and session manipulation, potentially enabling adversaries to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to the affected system through compromised user sessions.