CVE-2011-2379 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Bugzilla 2.4 through 2.22.7, 3.0.x through 3.3.x, 3.4.x before 3.4.12, 3.5.x, 3.6.x before 3.6.6, 3.7.x, 4.0.x before 4.0.2, and 4.1.x before 4.1.3, when Internet Explorer before 9 or Safari before 5.0.6 is used for Raw Unified mode, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted patch, related to content sniffing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2379 represents a cross-site scripting flaw that affects multiple versions of the Bugzilla bug tracking system, specifically spanning from version 2.4 through 2.22.7, 3.0.x through 3.3.x, 3.4.x before 3.4.12, 3.5.x, 3.6.x before 3.6.6, 3.7.x, 4.0.x before 4.0.2, and 4.1.x before 4.1.3. This vulnerability exploits the interaction between Bugzilla's Raw Unified mode and specific web browsers, particularly Internet Explorer versions prior to 9 and Safari versions prior to 5.0.6. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted patches, making it a significant security concern for organizations relying on Bugzilla for software development and bug tracking operations.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from content sniffing behavior in older web browsers when processing patch content in Raw Unified mode. When users view patches in this specific mode within vulnerable browsers, the browsers' content sniffing algorithms attempt to determine the content type and may incorrectly interpret malicious script embedded within patch data as executable code. This occurs because the vulnerability exists in how Bugzilla handles the rendering of patch content without proper sanitization or content type enforcement, particularly when the content is processed by browsers with older content sniffing implementations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachments, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate patch files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Bugzilla environment. Attackers can craft malicious patches that, when viewed by victims using vulnerable browsers, execute arbitrary JavaScript code that can steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify Bugzilla's interface to capture sensitive information. The vulnerability affects organizations using older versions of Bugzilla that remain in production environments, particularly those that have not updated their browser software or have legacy systems that cannot support newer browser versions. This creates a persistent risk for development teams and organizations that maintain extensive bug tracking databases, as the vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate patch review processes.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves updating Bugzilla to versions that contain the necessary patches, specifically versions 3.4.12, 3.6.6, 4.0.2, and 4.1.3 or later, which include fixes for the content sniffing issue in Raw Unified mode. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict input validation and sanitization of patch content before rendering, implement proper content type headers for patch files, and consider disabling Raw Unified mode for users who may be operating in vulnerable browser environments. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional detection and prevention capabilities, while user education about the risks of viewing untrusted patch content can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing security policies that prevent users from operating in legacy browser environments that lack modern security protections, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's guidance for defending against content injection attacks.