CVE-2011-3578 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bug_actiongroup_ext_page.php in MantisBT before 1.2.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the action parameter, related to bug_actiongroup_page.php, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-3357.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The CVE-2011-3578 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the MantisBT bug tracking system prior to version 1.2.8. This vulnerability specifically affects the bug_actiongroup_ext_page.php component and allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the action parameter. The issue is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation weakness where the application fails to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and injects it through the action parameter in the bug_actiongroup_ext_page.php script. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization, the malicious code becomes part of the generated web page and executes in the browser of unsuspecting victims. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and defacement of the application interface. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2011-3357, which affects a different file component, indicating this represents a separate code path with similar security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3578 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can compromise the entire security posture of a bug tracking system that relies on user input for group actions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the application behavior, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive project data, modifying bug reports, or creating false entries that could mislead development teams. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the action group functionality of MantisBT, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users contribute to bug tracking processes. This weakness can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, where attackers convince users to click on malicious links, or through automated scanning tools that systematically test for such vulnerabilities.
Organizations utilizing MantisBT versions prior to 1.2.8 should prioritize immediate remediation through the official software update process. The mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MantisBT 1.2.8 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, configuring proper output encoding for all dynamic content, and establishing regular security audits of web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering approaches, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both technical and human factors in the attack chain. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as fundamental security measures that should be implemented across all web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.