CVE-2012-4747 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
Bugzilla 2.x and 3.x through 3.6.11, 3.7.x and 4.0.x before 4.0.8, 4.1.x and 4.2.x before 4.2.3, and 4.3.x before 4.3.3 stores potentially sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to read (1) template (aka .tmpl) files, (2) other custom extension files under extensions/, or (3) custom documentation files under docs/ via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4747 represents a critical access control flaw in Bugzilla versions ranging from 2.x through 4.3.2, specifically affecting releases prior to the security patches in 4.0.8, 4.2.3, and 4.3.3. This issue stems from inadequate file system permissions and web server configuration that allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive components within the Bugzilla application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to access protected resources. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly restrict access to files stored in directories that are publicly accessible through the web root, creating a pathway for attackers to directly request and retrieve sensitive files from the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the web server's default configuration where files in the extensions/ and docs/ directories are not properly protected by access control mechanisms. Attackers can directly request template files with .tmpl extensions, custom extension files, or documentation files through HTTP requests, bypassing normal access controls that should restrict such access to authorized administrators only. This occurs because the web server configuration does not properly enforce access restrictions on these directories, allowing any remote user to access files that may contain sensitive information such as database connection strings, system configurations, or application logic. The flaw is particularly concerning as it affects multiple major versions of Bugzilla, indicating a systemic configuration issue rather than a one-off coding error.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and multifaceted, as it exposes critical application components that could provide attackers with information useful for further exploitation. When attackers successfully access template files, they may discover application logic patterns, variable names, or code structures that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks against the system. Custom extension files might contain proprietary code or configuration details that reveal system architecture, while documentation files could expose implementation details or system vulnerabilities. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information, and T1566, which covers credential access through information gathering. The exposure of such sensitive files could lead to privilege escalation opportunities, as attackers might discover administrative credentials or system configuration details that could be leveraged for deeper system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4747 require immediate implementation of proper access control measures and web server configuration updates. Organizations should ensure that sensitive directories such as extensions/ and docs/ are properly protected through web server configuration files, preventing direct access to these directories from the web root. This includes implementing proper directory permissions, using access control mechanisms such as .htaccess files for apache servers, or equivalent configurations for other web servers. The recommended approach involves restricting access to sensitive files through web server configuration rather than relying on application-level access controls alone. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their Bugzilla installations to ensure that no sensitive files are accessible through the web root, and should implement proper file permissions that prevent unauthorized access to template files and extension directories. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures should be established to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application, with particular attention to ensuring that access control mechanisms are properly configured and tested.