CVE-2005-2153 in osTicket STS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in class.ticket.php in osTicket 1.3.1 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ticket variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2153 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the osTicket help desk system version 1.3.1 beta and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the class.ticket.php component which handles ticket management functionality within the application. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the ticket variable parameter. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit specially crafted input through the ticket variable parameter that is not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that executes with the privileges of the database user account associated with the osTicket application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables full database access including read, write, and delete operations, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive user information, modify ticket records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or authentication, making it highly exploitable across network boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, as attackers might gain access to user credentials, personal information, and system configuration details. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire osTicket deployment, potentially exposing sensitive customer support data and undermining trust in the system. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability also impacts system availability as attackers could potentially delete critical ticket data or corrupt database structures, leading to service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to a patched version of osTicket where the sql injection flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized queries. System administrators should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while also conducting thorough input validation on all user-supplied data. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by osTicket have minimal required permissions. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and follows ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust defensive measures against sql injection attacks in web applications.