CVE-2011-2977 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 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 on Windows does not delete the temporary files associated with uploaded attachments, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading these files. NOTE: this issue exists because of a regression in 3.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2977 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Bugzilla versions prior to specific patch releases. This security issue specifically targets Windows installations of Bugzilla and stems from a regression introduced in version 3.6, which fundamentally altered how the application handles temporary file cleanup during attachment processing. The flaw manifests when users upload attachments to bug reports, creating temporary files that should be automatically removed after processing is complete. However, due to this regression, these temporary files persist on the filesystem, creating a persistent security risk for local system users who can exploit this oversight to access sensitive data that was originally intended to be handled securely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-532, which describes "Information Exposure Through Temporary Files" and represents a classic case of improper resource management in web applications. When Bugzilla processes uploaded attachments, it creates temporary files to store intermediate data during the upload and processing workflow. These temporary files typically contain user-submitted content, including potentially sensitive information such as bug reports, user comments, system details, or other confidential data that may have been included in the attachments. The failure to properly delete these temporary files creates an information disclosure channel where local attackers can access these files directly from the filesystem, bypassing normal application security controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent backdoor for local attackers to access data that should remain confidential within the application's secure processing environment. Attackers with local access to the Bugzilla server can exploit this vulnerability by navigating to the temporary file directories and reading the contents of these files, potentially gaining access to sensitive bug reports, user information, system configurations, or other confidential data that was meant to be processed and deleted. This issue is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Bugzilla serves as a critical issue tracking system containing proprietary information, security vulnerabilities, or sensitive business data that could be compromised through this flaw.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file management and resource cleanup in web applications, particularly in environments where multiple users interact with sensitive data. The regression that introduced this issue highlights the potential for seemingly minor code changes to create significant security implications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing and security review processes during software development and patch deployment. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Bugzilla installations to address this vulnerability, as the persistence of temporary files creates an ongoing risk that cannot be mitigated through user access controls or network security measures alone.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as attackers can systematically identify and access the temporary files created by the vulnerable application. Additionally, this issue relates to T1005, "Data from Local System," as it enables attackers to extract sensitive information from the local filesystem. The vulnerability also demonstrates aspects of T1566, "Phishing," if the sensitive information includes user credentials or system access details that could be used for further attacks. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual file access patterns in temporary directories and consider implementing automated cleanup processes as additional defensive measures, though the primary mitigation remains applying the vendor-provided patches that address the regression in temporary file handling behavior.