CVE-2017-6958 in MantisBT Source Integration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An XSS vulnerability in the MantisBT Source Integration Plugin (before 2.0.2) search result page allows an attacker to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript (if MantisBT's CSP settings permit it) by crafting any valid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The CVE-2017-6958 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the MantisBT Source Integration Plugin version 2.0.1 and earlier, specifically affecting the search result page functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input parameters before rendering them in the search results page, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation where an attacker can craft specially designed input parameters that, when processed by the plugin, get reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the search result page, which is a commonly accessed feature of the application. When MantisBT's Content Security Policy (CSP) settings are configured to permit script execution, the injected HTML or JavaScript code can execute within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session manipulation, and redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's presence in the Source Integration Plugin suggests that it could be leveraged against developers or administrators who use the plugin for code integration and management tasks. Attackers could potentially inject scripts that capture user credentials, steal session cookies, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the application context. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the application handles sensitive development or business data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6958 should include immediate patching to version 2.0.2 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in the application interface. Additionally, strengthening the Content Security Policy configuration to restrict script execution and implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create substantial security risks in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against known vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1566 category, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that focus on preventing the execution of malicious code within legitimate application contexts.