CVE-2018-17783 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Edit Filter page (manage_filter_edit page.php) in MantisBT 2.1.0 through 2.17.1 allows remote attackers (if access rights permit it) to inject arbitrary code (if CSP settings permit it) through a crafted project name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The CVE-2018-17783 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the MantisBT bug tracking system that affects versions 2.1.0 through 2.17.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the Edit Filter page functionality, which is accessible through the manage_filter_edit page.php endpoint. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing project names within the filter editing interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious project names that contain executable script code, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling unauthorized actions within the application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as client-side scripts. The exploitation requires that the target user has appropriate access rights to navigate to the filter editing page and that the Content Security Policy (CSP) settings do not adequately restrict script execution, which is common in many web applications where CSP is either absent or permissive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When users with valid credentials access the affected filter editing page, the malicious code embedded in the crafted project name executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, modify application data, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on MantisBT for issue tracking, as it undermines the security of their entire bug management workflow and can compromise the integrity of their development processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of MantisBT, typically version 2.18.0 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output encoding fixes. Additionally, implementing strict Content Security Policies that prevent inline script execution and using proper input validation routines can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their MantisBT installations to identify any custom modifications that might have introduced additional vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting the application's user interface rendering components. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of the application or related systems, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of input validation across all user-facing application components.