CVE-2014-1572 in Bugzilla
Summary
by MITRE
The confirm_create_account function in the account-creation feature in token.cgi in Bugzilla 2.x through 4.0.x before 4.0.15, 4.1.x and 4.2.x before 4.2.11, 4.3.x and 4.4.x before 4.4.6, and 4.5.x before 4.5.6 does not specify a scalar context for the realname parameter, which allows remote attackers to create accounts with unverified e-mail addresses by sending three realname values with realname=login_name as the second, as demonstrated by selecting an e-mail address with a domain name for which group privileges are automatically granted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-1572 resides within the Bugzilla bug tracking system's account creation mechanism, specifically in the token.cgi script's confirm_create_account function. This flaw affects multiple versions of Bugzilla from 2.x through 4.5.x, creating a significant security risk that allows remote attackers to bypass email verification requirements during account registration. The issue stems from improper handling of the realname parameter within the account creation flow, where the function fails to enforce scalar context for this critical input field. This technical oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the account creation process by crafting specifically formatted requests that exploit the system's handling of multi-valued parameters.
The core technical flaw manifests when an attacker sends three realname parameter values to the system, with the second value being set to login_name. This manipulation exploits the lack of proper scalar context validation, allowing the system to process the parameter incorrectly and bypass email verification checks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to create accounts with email addresses that may automatically grant them group privileges based on domain name matching. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices and other input validation issues that can lead to unexpected program behavior. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where the application fails to properly validate and constrain user-provided data before processing it in security-sensitive contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account creation, as it allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to systems with elevated privileges. When an attacker creates an account with an email address from a domain that automatically grants group membership, they can immediately access resources and functionalities that should be restricted to authorized users. This creates a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where Bugzilla serves as a central authentication or collaboration platform. The vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent fundamental security controls that are designed to prevent unauthorized access through proper email verification processes. From an adversary perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact attack vector that can be executed remotely without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
Organizations using affected versions of Bugzilla should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary fix involves ensuring that the confirm_create_account function properly validates and enforces scalar context for the realname parameter, preventing the manipulation of multi-valued inputs. System administrators should also consider implementing additional email verification controls and monitoring for suspicious account creation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and context handling in security-sensitive applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for input validation and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also review their account creation workflows to ensure that automated privilege assignment based on domain names is properly controlled and validated. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities, as the affected versions of Bugzilla have received patches that address this specific issue through proper parameter validation and scalar context enforcement.