CVE-2005-1438 in osTicket
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in main.php in osTicket allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the include_dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1438 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the osTicket help desk software version 1.1 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the main.php script where the include_dir parameter is improperly validated, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter. The flaw stems from a lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that should have prevented unauthorized file inclusion operations. This vulnerability type falls under the CWE-98 category of Improper Input Validation and is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without authentication. The attack vector specifically targets the web application's file inclusion functionality, where user-supplied parameters are directly used in include or require statements without adequate security controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL that includes a crafted include_dir parameter pointing to a remote malicious file. When the vulnerable osTicket application processes this request, it concatenates the attacker-controlled input directly into the file inclusion statement, resulting in the execution of arbitrary PHP code from the remote location. The vulnerability exists because the application does not validate or sanitize the include_dir parameter before using it in the include statement, creating a classic path traversal and remote file inclusion scenario. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target web applications to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and lacks proper parameter validation, making it susceptible to manipulation by threat actors. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code within the context of the web server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further network infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass significant security implications for affected organizations. Successful exploitation can result in complete server compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive data, modify system files, install backdoors, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks. Organizations running vulnerable versions of osTicket face potential exposure to data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the help desk system, potentially exposing customer information, support tickets, and internal communications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the compromised system, making it particularly dangerous for long-term security breaches. The impact is amplified because the vulnerability does not require authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker with knowledge of the target application. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, where the compromised system is used for lateral movement within the network or as a command and control server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1438 should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening to prevent exploitation. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of osTicket that addresses the input validation flaw in the main.php script. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach includes disabling the ability to include remote files through configuration settings and implementing strict parameter validation that rejects suspicious input patterns. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional protection by blocking known malicious patterns in URLs and request parameters. Security configurations should enforce the use of absolute paths for file inclusion operations and disable remote file inclusion features entirely when possible. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious file inclusion attempts, as this vulnerability often generates detectable patterns in web server logs. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as restricting file inclusion capabilities and using parameterized queries to prevent injection attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.