CVE-2014-9281 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in admin/copy_field.php in MantisBT before 1.2.18 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the dest_id field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2022
The CVE-2014-9281 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in MantisBT version 1.2.17 and earlier, specifically within the admin/copy_field.php component of the bug tracking system. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface where users can copy fields between different configurations, making it particularly dangerous as it targets privileged administrative functions. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated admin sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise through unauthorized access to sensitive administrative features.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the dest_id parameter processing. When administrators navigate to the copy field functionality and provide malicious input through the dest_id field, the application fails to properly escape or filter the user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. This classic XSS vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code, HTML content, or other script-based attacks that execute within the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9281 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Since the vulnerability affects the admin interface, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify user permissions, access confidential bug reports, manipulate project data, or even compromise the entire MantisBT installation. The attack vector requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the vulnerability is present in the administrative functionality that is accessible to authenticated users. This makes it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on MantisBT for critical project management and bug tracking operations, as it could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering, as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver additional payloads or establish persistence. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts. The recommended solution involves upgrading to MantisBT version 1.2.18 or later, where the input sanitization has been properly implemented to prevent the injection of malicious content through the dest_id parameter. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls, implement content security policies, and conduct regular security assessments to detect and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software environments.