CVE-2002-0932 in MyHelpDesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php for MyHelpDesk 20020509, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to conduct unauthorized activities via SQL code in the "id" parameter for the operations (1) detailticket, (2) editticket, or (3) updateticketlog.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the MyHelpDesk help desk application version 20020509 and potentially other releases. The vulnerability exists within the index.php script where user input from the "id" parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql code within the id parameter to manipulate database operations. The vulnerability specifically affects three distinct operations within the application: detailticket, editticket, and updateticketlog, each of which processes the id parameter in ways that expose the underlying database to unauthorized access and manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in cwe-89 sql injection attacks, where user-supplied data flows directly into sql command construction without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through the id parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into sql statements. This creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify existing records, or even delete entire database tables. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access to the help desk system.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on MyHelpDesk for their ticketing and support management. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer information, internal support tickets, and potentially system credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability affects not just individual ticket data but could allow attackers to manipulate the entire help desk workflow by editing or deleting tickets, modifying user permissions, or injecting malicious data into the system. This represents a significant risk to business continuity and data integrity, particularly in environments where the help desk system contains confidential customer information or serves as a critical communication channel for support operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly the id parameter in this case, undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed in any database operations. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values, thereby preventing malicious sql code from being executed. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management ensures that database users have the minimum necessary permissions to perform their functions. Regular security auditing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection attempts. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines for preventing sql injection attacks.