CVE-2012-1122 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
bug_actiongroup.php in MantisBT before 1.2.9 does not properly check the report_bug_threshold permission of the receiving project when moving a bug report, which allows remote authenticated users with the report_bug_threshold and move_bug_threshold privileges for a project to bypass intended access restrictions and move bug reports to a different project.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1122 affects MantisBT version 1.2.8 and earlier, specifically within the bug_actiongroup.php component. This flaw represents a critical access control bypass that undermines the intended security model of the bug tracking system. The vulnerability occurs when users attempt to move bug reports between projects, where the application fails to validate whether the user possesses the appropriate reporting privileges for the target project. This issue manifests as a failure in permission validation logic that should enforce project-specific access controls during cross-project bug movements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and permission checking within the bug movement functionality. When an authenticated user with both report_bug_threshold and move_bug_threshold privileges attempts to move a bug report, the system only validates their current project permissions rather than verifying their eligibility to report bugs in the destination project. This oversight creates a privilege escalation path where users can bypass intended access restrictions and manipulate bug reports across project boundaries. The flaw operates at the application logic level, specifically within the permission verification routines that govern cross-project operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to significant security risks including unauthorized data access and potential information disclosure. Attackers could exploit this weakness to move sensitive bug reports to projects where they have elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to confidential information or disrupting project workflows. The impact extends beyond simple data movement as it undermines the fundamental security architecture of MantisBT's project isolation mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on project-based access controls to segment sensitive information or maintain compliance with data handling requirements.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations using MantisBT should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 1.2.9 or later where this issue has been resolved. Additionally, administrators should review and audit existing project permissions to ensure proper access controls are in place. The fix typically involves strengthening the permission validation logic to verify both source and destination project privileges before allowing cross-project bug movements. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual cross-project activity patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.