CVE-2018-16362 in Source Integration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Source Integration plugin before 1.5.9 and 2.x before 2.1.5 for MantisBT. A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Manage Repository and Changesets List pages allows execution of arbitrary code (if CSP settings permit it) via repo_manage_page.php or list.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16362 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Source Integration plugin for MantisBT, affecting versions prior to 1.5.9 and 2.x prior to 2.1.5. This issue resides in the plugin's handling of user input on specific administrative pages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Manage Repository and Changesets List pages, which are critical components for developers and administrators managing source code repositories within the MantisBT issue tracking system. These pages serve as interfaces for configuring repository connections and viewing changeset information, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the plugin's PHP scripts, particularly repo_manage_page.php and list.php. When users navigate to these administrative pages, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before rendering it in the HTML output. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input containing script tags or other XSS vectors that will execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates at the application layer, targeting the web interface rather than requiring direct system access or network-level attacks. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the application interface, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains. In environments where MantisBT is used for tracking security vulnerabilities or managing critical development workflows, this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise the integrity of the entire issue tracking system. The attacker could leverage the XSS to access administrative functions, modify repository configurations, or even escalate privileges within the application's user management system. The vulnerability's presence on repository management pages particularly threatens organizations that rely on MantisBT for tracking source code changes and maintaining development security practices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1531 for Account Access Removal, as it enables unauthorized access through malicious code execution and could potentially lead to further privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16362 require immediate patching of the Source Integration plugin to versions 1.5.9 or 2.1.5 and later, which contain the necessary input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should also implement proper content security policies that restrict script execution within the application context, though this should not be considered a substitute for proper input validation. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious activity on the affected pages and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS payloads. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that input validation mechanisms are consistently applied throughout the application. Regular security assessments of the MantisBT installation, including penetration testing and code reviews, will help identify additional potential vulnerabilities in the system's architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust input sanitization practices in web applications.