CVE-2011-4929 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the bazaar repository adapter in Redmine 0.9.x and 1.0.x before 1.0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4929 represents a critical security flaw within the bazaar repository adapter component of Redmine version 0.9.x and 1.0.x prior to 1.0.5. This issue falls under the category of command injection vulnerabilities, where malicious actors can exploit improper input validation mechanisms to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The vulnerability exists in the repository integration functionality that allows Redmine to interface with bazaar version control systems, creating a potential attack surface that could be leveraged by remote adversaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the bazaar adapter implementation. When Redmine processes repository operations or fetches data from bazaar repositories, the system fails to properly validate or escape command parameters that are passed to underlying system calls. This allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get executed with the privileges of the Redmine application process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers can identify and exploit various combinations of input parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using vulnerable Redmine installations. Remote attackers who can access the Redmine web interface or repository integration features can potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying server, execute arbitrary code, and escalate privileges. The attack could result in data exfiltration, system compromise, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations relying on Redmine for project management and version control integration face significant exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication for certain operations or through compromised user accounts with repository access privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection attack vector. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Redmine version 1.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Additionally, network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring of repository operations should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts.
The remediation strategy involves comprehensive patch management procedures, ensuring all Redmine installations are updated to versions that address this vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their repository integrations, implement proper input validation controls, and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Given the severity of command injection vulnerabilities, organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional security controls to protect against similar attack vectors in other components of their Redmine installations.