CVE-2013-1883 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Mantis Bug Tracker (aka MantisBT) 1.2.12 before 1.2.15 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption) via a filter using a criteria, text search, and the "any condition" match type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1883 affects Mantis Bug Tracker version 1.2.12 and earlier, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This issue specifically targets the filter functionality within the application, which is a core component used for managing and organizing bug reports. The vulnerability manifests when users construct filters using specific combinations of criteria, text search parameters, and the "any condition" match type, creating a scenario where the system becomes overwhelmed with resource consumption. The affected system operates under the assumption that legitimate filter queries should be processed efficiently, but this particular combination triggers an inefficient processing loop that consumes excessive computational resources.
The technical flaw lies in the improper handling of filter queries that utilize the "any condition" match type within text search operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious filter request using this specific combination, the application's query processing engine enters a resource-intensive loop that does not properly terminate or limit its execution time. This condition causes the system to consume excessive CPU cycles and memory resources, ultimately leading to a denial of service state where legitimate users cannot access the application or perform their normal operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient resource management within the filter processing logic, creating a path for attackers to exhaust system resources through carefully constructed malicious requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can affect the entire availability of the Mantis Bug Tracker application. Organizations relying on this system for bug management and project tracking face potential operational disruptions that could impact development workflows and team productivity. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform sustained denial of service attacks, potentially causing system crashes, performance degradation, or complete application unavailability. The issue also poses risks to system stability, as resource exhaustion can affect other applications running on the same infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to version 1.2.15 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the filter processing logic. Organizations should also implement rate limiting mechanisms on filter operations to prevent abuse of the vulnerable functionality, though this approach provides only partial protection. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious filter query patterns, though they may not prevent all exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to system resource exhaustion. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," as it enables attackers to consume system resources and cause service disruption. Additionally, the issue demonstrates characteristics of T1595.001, "Network Denial of Service," when the attack is launched from external networks against exposed systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.