CVE-2011-4927 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the bazaar repository adapter in Redmine 1.0.x before 1.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4927 affects the bazaar repository adapter component within Redmine version 1.0.x before 1.0.5, representing a critical information disclosure weakness that compromises the security posture of vulnerable systems. This issue specifically targets the integration between Redmine's version control system and the bazaar distributed version control tool, creating an attack surface where authenticated users can exploit undisclosed vectors to access sensitive data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the repository adapter module, which fails to properly restrict access to internal system information.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of repository operations within the bazaar integration layer, where the system does not adequately verify user permissions or sanitize data returned from bazaar commands. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized information gathering operations, potentially accessing repository metadata, file contents, or system configuration details that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of authentication bypass and information disclosure, allowing attackers to escalate their privileges through legitimate access channels. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential pathways through which sensitive information can be extracted, including but not limited to command injection, path traversal, or direct database queries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines the confidentiality and integrity of source code repositories managed through Redmine, potentially exposing proprietary code, development artifacts, and sensitive project information. Organizations utilizing Redmine for software development and version control are at risk of intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and potential regulatory violations depending on the nature of the exposed data. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Redmine's repository integration, making it particularly dangerous for development teams that rely heavily on version control systems for project management and code collaboration. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain insights into development processes, identify security gaps in code repositories, and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities within the broader system infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information disclosure weaknesses in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies to upgrade to Redmine 1.0.5 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and access control mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the Redmine server, enforcing strict authentication controls, and monitoring repository access logs for suspicious activities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their version control integrations and ensure that all third-party repository adapters undergo regular security reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other integrated systems. The incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security controls around version control systems that serve as central repositories for sensitive organizational data.