CVE-2017-7222 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MantisBT before 2.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript (if MantisBT's CSP settings permit it) by modifying 'window_title' in the application configuration. This requires privileged access to MantisBT configuration management pages (i.e., administrator access rights) or altering the system configuration file (config_inc.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The CVE-2017-7222 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw in MantisBT version 2.1.0 and earlier, demonstrating a critical weakness in web application security that could potentially compromise user sessions and data integrity. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's configuration management system where the 'window_title' parameter can be manipulated to inject malicious code into the web interface. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user-provided configuration values, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability requires administrative privileges to exploit directly through the web interface, though alternative attack vectors exist through direct configuration file modification, making it particularly concerning for organizations with less stringent access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the MantisBT configuration handling mechanism. When administrators modify the 'window_title' parameter through the web interface or directly in the config_inc.php file, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires either administrative access to the configuration management interface or the ability to modify system configuration files, both of which represent privilege escalation scenarios that could be achieved through various attack vectors including credential theft, session hijacking, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the application stack. The impact is amplified when MantisBT's Content Security Policy (CSP) settings are configured to permit script execution, as this creates an environment where injected malicious code can be executed without additional restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7222 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Since MantisBT is commonly used for bug tracking and issue management in development environments, compromised systems could provide attackers with access to sensitive project information, source code repositories, and development infrastructure. The vulnerability's requirement for administrative access means that organizations with proper security controls and least privilege access policies may be protected, but those with overly permissive access controls or compromised administrator accounts face significant risk. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the bug tracking system, potentially using it as a foothold for further attacks within the development infrastructure or to monitor sensitive project communications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of script interpreters for execution, and T1566, which addresses social engineering through malicious content injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7222 should focus on immediate patching to version 2.1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output escaping for configuration parameters. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit configuration modifications to only authorized administrators, while also establishing monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes. The application's CSP settings should be configured to restrict script execution and prevent the loading of external resources that could be used in XSS attacks. Regular security audits of configuration management processes and automated scanning for unauthorized changes to system files should be implemented as part of the security posture. Additionally, administrators should be trained to recognize potential privilege escalation attempts and maintain regular backups of configuration files to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in systems that handle sensitive project data and user information.