CVE-2017-7615 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
MantisBT through 2.3.0 allows arbitrary password reset and unauthenticated admin access via an empty confirm_hash value to verify.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7615 affects MantisBT version 2.3.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in the password reset mechanism that enables unauthorized administrative access. This vulnerability resides within the verify.php script which handles password reset confirmations, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication requirements and assume administrative privileges without proper authorization. The flaw specifically exploits the handling of the confirm_hash parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the verification process through an empty confirm_hash value.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks within the password reset functionality. When a user initiates a password reset, the system generates a confirm_hash value that should be validated before granting access to reset the password. However, the verify.php script fails to properly validate the confirm_hash parameter, particularly when it is empty or null. This weakness creates a logic flaw where an attacker can submit an empty confirm_hash value and still gain access to administrative functions, effectively circumventing the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7615 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data compromise and system control takeover. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can reset passwords for any user account, including administrative accounts, and gain full control over the MantisBT instance. This access allows for modification of project data, user accounts, configuration settings, and potentially the ability to exfiltrate sensitive information stored within the bug tracking system. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on MantisBT for managing sensitive project data, as it provides a direct path to administrative privileges without requiring legitimate credentials or knowledge of existing user accounts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1531 for credential access through the unauthorized modification of authentication mechanisms. Organizations using MantisBT versions prior to 2.3.1 should prioritize immediate patching to address this flaw, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior knowledge of valid user accounts. The fix involves implementing proper validation of the confirm_hash parameter and ensuring that empty or malformed values are rejected before proceeding with any administrative access operations.
Security practitioners should implement additional monitoring around password reset activities and user account modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication flow testing, particularly in web applications handling user account management. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as rate limiting on password reset requests and enhanced logging of authentication-related activities to help detect and respond to exploitation attempts effectively.