CVE-2013-0786 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
The Bugzilla::Search::build_subselect function in Bugzilla 2.x and 3.x before 3.6.13 and 3.7.x and 4.0.x before 4.0.10 generates different error messages for invalid product queries depending on whether a product exists, which allows remote attackers to discover private product names by using debug mode for a query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0786 affects Bugzilla versions 2.x and 3.x before 3.6.13 and 3.7.x and 4.0.x before 4.0.10, specifically within the Bugzilla::Search::build_subselect function. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exploits inconsistent error handling mechanisms in the software's query processing system. The vulnerability stems from the application's differential response behavior when processing invalid product queries, creating a side-channel attack vector that reveals sensitive information about the system's internal state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in how the Bugzilla search functionality handles malformed product queries when debug mode is enabled. When an attacker submits a query with an invalid product identifier, the system generates different error messages depending on whether the product actually exists in the database. This inconsistency provides attackers with a method to enumerate valid product names by systematically testing various product identifiers and observing the differing error responses. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which covers information exposure through error messages, and represents a clear violation of secure error handling principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to map the complete product namespace within a Bugzilla instance. This capability allows adversaries to identify private or restricted product names that should not be publicly accessible, potentially exposing sensitive organizational information about development projects, security vulnerabilities, or business operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in environments where Bugzilla serves as a centralized issue tracking system for multiple projects with varying levels of sensitivity and access control requirements.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather intelligence about system components. The flaw creates a reconnaissance opportunity that can be leveraged in subsequent attack phases, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as targeted exploitation of specific product-related vulnerabilities or social engineering campaigns based on discovered project information. Organizations utilizing Bugzilla in production environments face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence without requiring authentication or direct system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Bugzilla versions 3.6.13, 3.7.x, or 4.0.10 and later, which contain patches addressing the inconsistent error handling behavior. Additionally, organizations should disable debug mode in production environments and implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms that provide consistent responses regardless of the underlying database state. Security configurations should also include monitoring for suspicious query patterns and implementing rate limiting to prevent systematic enumeration attempts that could exploit this vulnerability.