CVE-2016-7111 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
MantisBT before 1.3.1 and 2.x before 2.0.0-beta.2 uses a weak Content Security Policy when using the Gravatar plugin, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7111 affects MantisBT versions prior to 1.3.1 and 2.x versions prior to 2.0.0-beta.2, specifically when utilizing the Gravatar plugin. This weakness stems from the implementation of a weak Content Security Policy (CSP) that fails to adequately protect against cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in web application defenses, particularly when dealing with user-generated content and external service integrations.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient CSP configuration within the Gravatar plugin implementation, which creates an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages. This weakness allows attackers to exploit unspecified vectors that could potentially lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or complete compromise of user accounts. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-16 as a "Configuration" weakness, specifically related to insecure default settings and inadequate security policy implementation. The weak CSP allows for the execution of malicious scripts from external sources, bypassing standard security mechanisms that should prevent such cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS exploitation, as it undermines the fundamental security posture of MantisBT installations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive project data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application, as it allows for data exfiltration and manipulation of user sessions. This weakness particularly impacts organizations relying on MantisBT for bug tracking and project management, where the compromise of user sessions could result in unauthorized access to sensitive development information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7111 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MantisBT installations to versions 1.3.1 or 2.0.0-beta.2, which contain the necessary CSP improvements. Organizations should also implement proper CSP headers with restrictive policies that prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, particularly when integrating external services like Gravatar. The implementation should follow ATT&CK framework guidance for mitigating web application vulnerabilities, specifically focusing on techniques related to preventing code injection and cross-site scripting. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of third-party plugins, implementation of web application firewalls, and user education regarding suspicious activities. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual script execution patterns can further reduce the risk of successful exploitation, while maintaining proper logging and incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential breaches.