CVE-2014-9388 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
bug_report.php in MantisBT before 1.2.18 allows remote attackers to assign arbitrary issues via the handler_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9388 affects MantisBT versions prior to 1.2.18 and resides in the bug_report.php component of the application. This represents a critical authorization flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate issue assignments within the bug tracking system. The vulnerability specifically targets the handler_id parameter which is used to designate the user responsible for addressing reported issues. When this parameter is not properly validated or sanitized, it creates an opportunity for unauthorized users to assign bugs to any valid user account within the system, effectively bypassing the intended access controls and workflow processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. This flaw constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability where attackers can manipulate the assignment of tasks to users who should not have access to or be responsible for handling specific issues. The vulnerability operates at the input validation layer where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered or verified before being processed by the application. This allows attackers to inject malicious values into the handler_id parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or manipulation of the bug tracking workflow. The issue demonstrates a classic lack of proper access control mechanisms that should validate whether the authenticated user has the authority to assign issues to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation and can significantly compromise the integrity of the bug tracking system. Attackers can exploit this flaw to assign critical security issues to users who may not be authorized to handle them, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability also undermines the accountability mechanisms that are fundamental to bug tracking systems, as it allows unauthorized assignment of issues that should remain under the control of designated administrators or developers. This can result in confusion within development teams, misallocation of resources, and potential security breaches where sensitive issues are routed to unauthorized personnel. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of MantisBT should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 1.2.18 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this authorization flaw. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen access control policies within their bug tracking systems, ensuring that proper user role definitions and permissions are in place. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and parameter sanitization practices that should be implemented across all web applications to prevent similar issues. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential authorization flaws in their systems, particularly focusing on parameters that control user assignments and access rights. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation of critical business systems.