CVE-2020-25830 in MantisBT
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2020
An issue was discovered in MantisBT before 2.24.3. Improper escaping of a custom field's name allows an attacker to inject HTML and, if CSP settings permit, achieve execution of arbitrary JavaScript when attempting to update said custom field via bug_actiongroup_page.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25830 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within MantisBT version 2.24.2 and earlier, classified under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This weakness specifically affects the handling of custom field names during the bug management process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability resides in the bug_actiongroup_page.php component which processes user inputs without adequate sanitization of custom field identifiers, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML content that gets rendered in subsequent user interactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious custom field name containing HTML or JavaScript payload that bypasses the application's input validation mechanisms. When the system attempts to update or display this custom field through the bug_actiongroup_page.php interface, the improperly escaped content gets rendered in the web browser, enabling the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code. This vector of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it leverages browser-based scripting capabilities to execute malicious code. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when the application's Content Security Policy (CSP) settings are permissive, allowing the execution of inline scripts and external resources that could further extend the attack surface.
The operational implications of CVE-2020-25830 extend beyond simple XSS exploitation, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data, session hijacking capabilities, and the ability to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, modify bug reports, access confidential information, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects all users who have the ability to create or modify custom fields, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the bug tracking system. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output escaping mechanisms, representing a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-25830 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch to MantisBT version 2.24.3 or later, which addresses the improper escaping of custom field names. Organizations should also implement robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-provided data, particularly when rendering content in web interfaces. Security measures should include enforcing strict Content Security Policies that prevent inline script execution and limit external resource loading. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of input handling mechanisms, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve user education regarding the risks of creating custom fields with untrusted data and establishing proper access controls to limit who can modify system configuration elements.